Butterflies of Collier's Mills Wildlife Management Area, Ocean County, New Jersey

DIRECTIONS: From northern New Jersey, take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 7A, I-195. Drive east about 2 miles on I-95 to Exit 8, Route 539. Take Route 539 south for about 10 miles to Colliers Mills Road. Turn left onto this road and go 1 mile to the entrance to the Colliers Mills WMA. From southern New Jersey, take the Garden State parkway to Route 539. Continue north for about 32 miles.

HABITAT: Over 12,000 acres of typical Pine Barrens habitat, dominated by Pitch Pine and Scrub Oak. Atlantic White Cedar is also present at wetter areas.

BUTTERFLY LIST:

Abbreviations are:
A, abundant, likely to see more than 20 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time
C, common, likely to see 4-20 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time
U, uncommon, likely to see 0-3 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time
R, rare, unlikely to see any individuals even at the right spots at the right time
S, stray, vagrant, not seen most years

E, early in month
M, middle of month
L, late in month

Numbers refer to months. For example, the first species, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, is uncommon to common from middle of April through September.

BEST TIME AND SPOTS TO VISIT: Springtime

SPECIALTIES: Dotted Skipper