First Butterfly of the Season

This year brought unusual swings in temperature. The first 2 weeks were our coldest days in a row and then the 3rd was usually warm with a week in the 60s and 70s. I'm not sure if that I why I saw these butterflies so early or just that I was outside enjoying the weather. I hope to keep a list of when I see various butterflies in the area to see if there is a trend for when they first arrive during the year.

My first butterfly was actually the Cabbage White followed closely by the Gulf Fritillary. I also saw a Goatweed Leafwing at the Heard, but did not get a picture of my own. (I have linked to a picture I took in March)

Editor Note: I wrote this in January, but didn't see I had to Publish it so now doing so in May.

Since I'm publishing this late, I'm adding additional sightings:
February added the Question Mark, the Common Checkered Skipper
March added the Orange Sulphur, Pearl Crescent, Tiger Swallowtail, Red Admiral, American Lady
April Added the Giant Swallowtail, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Gray Hairstreak, Pipevine Swallowtail, Eastern tailed blue, checkered white, fiery skipper, Monarch

Also note that my sighting of the Gulf Fritillary was not normal and I suspect it was an overwintered Chrysalis that came out to early. We have had freezes since then and it would not have been able to survive. As of May 30, I'm still waiting to see my second one.

Posted on 31 May, 2015 16:34 by butterflies4fun