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It's very interesting to read of these various insect observations.
Creating awareness is valuable to those of us who haven't yet ventured into
this domain.
I could use some help from folks who are much more in-the-know on what they
might predict the potential effects of spraying bT for spruce budworm would
do to our butterfly populations and other insects. It's all potential bird
food in my mind, and that's a concern, but what of other non-target insect
populations here? Timing is everything, as I understand it. I haven't had
time to research this topic, but I would like some Nova Scotia-specific
observations/predictions on what that might mean to our insect populations
if spraying began next year, which may happen. Thoughts?
Donna Crossland (naive insect person)
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of Mary Macaulay
Sent: August-26-16 9:09 AM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Butterfly numbers
Sadly this is a global phenomenon. We are now very sophisticated with our
chemical strategies for indiscriminately killing all insects.
http://butterfly-conservation.org/48-10581/neonicotinoid-pesticides-linked-t
o-butterfly-declines.html
Those of us who notice need to wake those up who'd care IF they noticed.
Spread the word persistently.
With kindest regards
Mary (Macaulay), P.Eng.
Owner, Remember Adventures & Caper Cafe
Pedal Buggy & snowshoe rentals, great bird friendly coffee, breakfast &
pasta, pollinator meadow, games & more!!
(Open Wed to Sunday: 8:30 am-7pm)
HWY 6 & Station Road
Trans-Canada Trail
Tatamagouche
RememberAdventures.ca & InsectRecovery.org
1-902-657-0054
Twitter @RememberTata & @InsectRecovery
On Aug 26, 2016, at 8:57 AM, Angus MacLean <cold_mac@hotmail.com> wrote:
I spent 5 days in the field while visiting in northern Cape Breton,
returning yesterday. I saw three fritillaries in total, likely Great
Spangled, but I could not catch up to them. No other butterflies!
In Kings County, virtually the same story but the lack of skippers is
particularly noticeable & troubling.
Large numbers of moths coming to the lights, especially in Cape Breton, so
whatever is impacting the butterflies is not affecting the moth population.
As for bumble bees, Bombus ternarius is always very common/numerous when
goldenrod is at its height. Goldenrod does not attract other nectaring
insects so its a mystery to me. This summer B. ternarius on the average
appears quite small indicating a lack of food for them in their larval
stage.
Angus
_____
From: srshaw@Dal.Ca
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Butterfly numbers
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2016 02:55:23 +0000
I was on the lower part of the drumlin in the Mt Uniacke House grounds for
about an hour in mid-afternoon with a net, looking for flies (not many). In
hot sunny conditions I saw only one butterfly in that time, a common
wood-nymph; also two dragonflies, the small red meadow hawks like those I
used to catch in Cape Cod, Sympetrum sp there.
The only insects that were common were a small bumble bee, in hundreds
everywhere on goldenrod and asters, and a fair number of Virginia Ctenuca
moths. The small creek there has dried up completely.
Steve (Hfx)
On Aug 25, 2016, at 3:02 PM, Ron Wilson <solidago123@gmail.com> wrote:
I too noticed a noticeable lack of butterflies on my property this year,
that is until a couple of days ago.
While the flight time for many species has passed there has been an
emergence of adult Common Ringlet Butterflies here with approx 12 flitting
around at any given time.
Today marked the appearance of this year's second Red Admiral seen here
along with one Great-spangled Fritillary.
Clouded Sulphurs and Cabbage Whites are numerous now as well.
No sign of American or Painted Ladies this year whereas last year they were
a frequent visitor.
Ron Wilson
Somerset NS
On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 2:48 PM, Larry Bogan <larry@bogan.ca> wrote:
Peter et al
Yes, I feel that there have been fewer butterflies this summer. Our field
used to hold lots of skippers and Wood Nymphs and there were sparse this
year. The mission-monarch blitz last weekend looked for Monarch evidence
and found some few and far between.
The last rain has seemed to sparked butterflies. Since then I have seen
two Viceroys, a White Admiral, and lots of Cabbage whites and sulphurs.
We hope to increase the Monarch population. The protection and raising
from eggs and larvae is at the release stage. So far we have released 26
adult Monarchs and have quite a few to go. We hope to be up near 80 this
year. All this from two females and a male in our field during July. Some
of the ones we released have stayed around and twice in the last few days,
we saw a pair coupled. No eggs found yet.
Larry
////// === ///////
Larry Bogan
Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia
<larry@bogan.ca>
On Fri, 19 Aug 2016 13:09:15 -0300
pce@accesswave.ca wrote:
> It seems to me that butterfly numbers have been way down over the last
> few weeks, during that prolonged dry spell.
>
> However, with a couple of decent rains, we're starting to see a few
> butterflies flying again. In particular, my neighbours' Buddleia had
> three Red Admirals on it this morning, and the lowly Cabbage White has
> become more common, too.
>
> Anybody else feel that this has not been a great summer for butterflies?
>
> Peter Payzant
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