Gossamer-wings

The Gossamer-winged Butterflies

This family of butterflies (Lycaenidae) is a large family of butterflies worldwide. It consists of small butterflies with sheer, delicate wings, hence the common name for the family-Gossamer-wings. Subfamilies of the Gossamer-wings which have representives flying in our area are the Harvesters (Miletinae) , the Hairstreaks (Theclinae), and the Blues (Polyommatinae).

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The Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) The Harvester,  a.k.a. the "Wanderer", is the only butterfly which is a dedicated predator. The caterpillars prey on Woolly Aphids. In the North Central Florida area this is primarily the Woolly Maple Aphids (Neoprociphilus aceris), which is hosted by various greenbriar (smilex) species. With very short proboscis, adult Harvesters do not nectar, but instead they feed on aphid honeydew, mud, sap, dung, and carrion.

Subfamily:
Miletinae
Species Descriptions:
   -Florida Museum of Natural History-not available
   -Butterflies and Moths of North America

Photos:

Harvester02.JPG (22219 bytes)  
Harvester perching in a sunny patch in woods near Newnan's Lake.

Harvester.JPG (81016 bytes)    Harvester0654-akers.jpg (31090 bytes)
Perching Harvesters near Newnan's Lake.

Harvester_croped-rspink.JPG (570575 bytes)
Harvester perching on greenbriar.

DSC02952(1)_Harvester_ovapositing__1_croped.JPG (22101 bytes)  DSC02956(1)_Harvester_eggs__1.JPG (21186 bytes)
Left: Harvester ovipositing eggs on greenbriar near Woolly Aphids. Right: eggs on greenbriar near Woolly Aphids


Woolly Aphids.JPG (26709 bytes)  DSC02934.JPG (22456 bytes)
Left: Woolly Maple Aphids on greenbriar. Right: Harvester chrysalis.

Harvester_Cat_w_Aphids.JPG (34700 bytes)  2_Harvester_cats.JPG (24857 bytes)
Left: Paynes Prairie Harvester caterpillar near Woolly Aphids. Right: Newnan's Lake Cats

Harvester05.JPG (21003 bytes)
Fresh Holiday Season Harvester at Newnan's Lake-December 15, 2007

Christmas caterpillar.JPG (27263 bytes)
Harvester caterpillars discovered in aphid colony and in leaf litter on December 22 at Marmaduke Pond

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Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus) The largest hairstreak in our region and one of the most colorful butterflie has a wing span of 1 1/4 to 2 inches. It is common throughout North Central Florida and is ususally found in wooded areas where mistletoe (its only host plant) is plentiful. the Great Purple nectars on a variety of flowers depending on the season including plums, viburnum, goldenrod, queen anne's lace, and bidens. It can be found locally from February through November.

Subfamily:
Hairstreaks (Theclinae)

Species Descriptions:
   -Florida Museum of Natural History
   -Butterflies and Moths of North America

Photos:


Great Purple HS.Goldenrod.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0278.JPG (18022 bytes)
Great Purple Hairstreak nectaring on Goldenrod in late summer.


Great Purple HS.Queen Annes Lace.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0305-1.JPG (26249 bytes)
Great Purple nectaring on  Queen Anne's Lace

wpe2.jpg (15818 bytes)

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Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici) An uncommon bright brown elfin of woodlands found in our area usually in the spring with the blooming of willows which it often visits for nectar. The blooming season of local willows closely matches the flight season of this butterfly. Host plants include Dahoon holly and American Holly. It's habitat includes a wide variaty of moist woodlands with brushy understories, including wet pinelands, bayheads and swamps. It can most often be viewed in our area from late February until late April. It is most common in mid March. During these periods it can sometimes be found in Goethe State Forest.

Subfamily:
Elfins

Species Descriptions:

Photos:

Henryselfin.jpg (10080 bytes)  

 

Henry's Elfin.jpg (18706 bytes)

 

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Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) A variable hairstreak about the size of a Gray Hairstreak with will-marked postmedian bands on both forewings and hindwings. Although uncommon in the north-central florida area, it can usually be found from mid-April to mid-May in open areas near hickory groves and oak hammonds nectoring on masses of early blooming white flowers such as Oakleaf Hydrangea, Sparkleberry, Viburnums, Shasta Daisies, and Ligustrums. In some years it is almost common for a short period of time in April and May in such areas as San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, Devil's Millhopper Geological Area, and O'Leno State Park.

Subfamily:Hairstreaks (Theclinae)

Species Descriptions:
   -Florida Museum of Natural History
   -Butterflies and Moths of North America

Photos:



Banded HS.Shasta Daisy.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0089.JPG (18608 bytes) Banded HS.Oakleaf Hydrangea.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0126.JPG (17281 bytes)


Banded Hairstreak.Oakleaf Hydrangia.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0120.JPG (19136 bytes) Banded HS.Oakleaf Hydrangia.Marmaduke Pond.DSC_0126.JPG (19670 bytes)

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