Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. NABA-St. Louis's holiday party will be held the Sunday before the Super Bowl. This event will be a potluck, so bring your favorite dish. Location is yet to be determined - please see next month's newsletter for details. A special color "Powerpoint" computer presentation will be given during this event. The program will feature our members' best butterfly photos, and possibly some from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, taken during 2004. Come and enjoy!

2. REQUEST FOR BUTTERFLY PHOTOS

Please send your favorite butterfly photographs (maximum of 10) that you have taken in the last year, along with any relevant butterfly or photographic details, to Kate Boden at: khbATaccessus.net

All photos and slides will be returned at the party. The photos will be used at our event for a special "Powerpoint" presentation on Sunday Jan. 30, as described above.

3. OCTOBER 2004 BUTTERFLY SIGHTINGS by Yvonne Homeyer

October started off warm and sunny with temperatures in the 70s, followed by a rainy period interspersed with a few sunny days from the middle through the end of the month with temperatures in the 60s. Butterfly activity was slow by the end of the month, with only a limited number of species still flying.

A composite list from Hilda Young C.A. and Route 66 S. P. on 10/2 consisted of 1 Spicebush Swallowtail, 13 Orange Sulphurs, 5 Clouded Sulphurs, 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue, 8 Pearl Crescents, 5 Wild Indigo Duskywings, and 2 Least Skippers (JZ). On 10/3 at Little Creve Coeur Lake, Jim and Yvonne found 1 Clouded Skipper, several Orange Sulphurs, several Pearl Crescents, 1 Eastern Tailed-Blue, 1 Monarch, 1 Buckeye, 1 Viceroy, several Least Skippers, 1 Fiery and 1 Common Checkered-Skipper; they observed Dainty Sulphur and Little Yellow at Busch Wildlife. Also on 10/3, Scott Marshall found several Dainty Sulphurs, 2 Southern Dogface, many Orange Sulphurs, Cloudless Sulphur, 1 E. Comma, 1 Fiery Skipper and several Common Checkered-Skippers at Horseshoe Lake. At Wilmore Park, 2 Dainty Sulphurs were observed (JZ). On 10/6, Jim Ziebol counted 1 Little Yellow, 7 Pearl Crescents, 10 Wild Indigo Duskywings, 3 Fiery Skippers and 1 Dun Skipper at the MDC river access at Route 66 S.P.

Still flying at Horseshoe Lake on 10/10, a cool (high 70), cloudy to partly-sunny day, were 1 Pipevine, 6 Orange Sulphurs, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 4 Dogface, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 4 Pearl Crescents, 15 Buckeyes, 1 Viceroy, 1 Monarch, and 3 Common Checkered-Skippers (JZ). Dave Larson counted 3 Painted Ladies, 12 Sachems (male and female) and 2 Clouded Sulphurs at his Ballwin garden. A Bronze Copper was a nice surprise at Indian Lake (f/k/a Collinsville Golf Course) near Horseshoe Lake on 10/17 (JZ, YH). Also on 10/17 at Busch Wildlife, Jim and Yvonne found all the sulphurs (except Dogface) - 1 Sleepy Orange, 1 Dainty Sulphur, 4 Clouded, 3 Orange, 3 Cloudless, 1 Little Yellow - along with 3 Gray Commas, 4 Buckeyes, 2 Pearl Crescents, 1 Question Mark, 1 Common Checkered-Skipper and 1 Least Skipper. At Busch Wildlife on 10/22, 5 species of sulphurs - Little Yellow, Clouded, Orange, Cloudless and Dainty - plus a Mourning Cloak and a Monarch were observed (JZ). During a Friends of Tyson walk at Tyson on 10/24, a sunny day with a high of 76, Dave Larson and Kate Boden counted 3 Red Admirals (scarce this year), 2 E. Commas, 1 Buckeye and 1 Sachem. Also on 10/24, Jim and Yvonne found 2 Eastern Tailed-Blues at Hilda Young C.A. Jim saw 2 Cloudless Sulphurs, 1 Little Yellow and 1 Fiery Skipper at Hilda Young C.A. on 10/29. At his south county home, Jack Harris observed 2 Fiery Skippers and 2 Sachems on 10/28, 2 Fiery Skippers on 10/29, and 1 Painted Lady, 1 Fiery Skipper and 1 sulphur species (Orange or Clouded) on 10/30; most were nectaring on Aromatic Aster (Aster oblongifolius). On the last day of the month, 10/31, Linda Virga reported a Cloudless Sulphur in her garden and Jim Ziebol saw 1 Orange Sulphur and 1 Monarch at Horseshoe Lake.

Dave Berry had a diverse mix of butterflies at his St. Peters garden in October. He had more than one sighting of Painted Lady (rare this year), Buckeye, Red Admiral, Monarch, Orange Sulphur, Fiery Skipper and Sachem. He had one sighting each of Gray Hairstreak, Snout, Common Checkered-Skipper, Peck's Skipper, Eastern Tailed-Blue and Question Mark. Dave is once again "baby-sitting" Black Swallowtail chrysalises for the winter. Kraig Paradise saw Painted Lady, Dainty Sulphur (an uncommon yard butterfly), Cloudless Sulphur, and Sachem in his north county garden in October. His brother saw a Mourning Cloak at his north county home. Anne Craver saw a Cabbage White and a Little Yellow at Lake of the Ozarks.

CONTRIBUTORS: Kate Boden, Dennis Bozzay, Anne Craver, Jack Harris, Yvonne Homeyer, Dave Larson, Scott & Annie Marshall, Jeannie Moe, Kraig Paradise, Mark Peters, Linda Virga, Jim Ziebol.

4. "THE STRUGGLE" CORRECTION by Dave Larson, Editor

In last month's Newsletter, a story entitled "The Struggle" (see Nov. 2004 issue) was included (contributed by Jim Zoerb), and I wish to correct some information given in the story. I believe the story was intended to illustrate patience, strength and persistence, but its butterfly facts are, unfortunately, grossly incorrect.

Butterflies form a pupa or chrysalis, and moths form a cocoon; the breaking open of the outer shell (skin) does not force fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings. This can only be accomplished when the butterfly is able to hang upside down and fully extend its wings. It is from this position the butterfly begins to use it muscles to raise and lower its wings, and thereby forces (or pumps) fluid from its body into its wings until they are fully extended and harden.

The above facts are not meant to detract from the meaning of the story; and vice-versa, the story is not meant to spread misinformation. It is hoped that the main point of the story, which was that perhaps human beings need struggles and obstacles in their lives in order to gain strength and to "fly"…

5. TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES IN THE U. S. by Yvonne Homeyer

The Rio Grande Valley of Texas, long a popular destination for birders, has now become a "hotspot" for butterfliers as well. October and November are the best months because many nectaring flowers are in bloom, many resident butterfly species are flying at that time and many Mexican species stray north across the border. These rarities (not necessarily rare in Mexico) can pop up anywhere at any time, making every day a new adventure. Many of the resident butterfly species are found only in the Valley, because their habitat does not extend any further north than the narrow corridor along the Rio Grande River. So even a brief trip to the Valley should produce dozens of "lifers", many of which are colorful tropical butterflies.

I recently returned from my sixth trip for butterflies since 1999. This trip was special because it was the first time I visited the NABA Butterfly Park, a 100+ acre botanical garden for butterflies that constitutes a major habitat restoration project along the Rio Grande River. The Butterfly Park was recently dedicated during the NABA conference held in Mission in late October. The World Birding Center, NABA's neighbor, is another new site that didn't exist when I last visited the Valley in 2002; it also has butterfly gardens. Both the NABA Butterfly Park and the WBC adjoin Bentsen State Park along the Rio Grande River and the cumulative habitat potential is enormous. In a single day, one butterflying couple logged 98 butterfly species between NABA and the WBC, and I was able to see 60 species in one day at the NABA Butterfly Park alone! Considering that these gardens were just planted in the last year, that is an astounding record.

The Valley covers a lot of territory, from South Padre Island and Brownsville on the east by the Gulf of Mexico, stretching west along the Mexican border to Laredo. On the Gulf side, butterflies are found on South Padre Island, at Sabal Palm Bird Sanctuary (a National Audubon Society site), and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Weslaco spots include the Valley Nature Center, the Frontera Audubon Center (another location that wasn't open to the public on my previous visit in 2002), and the Raintree citrus grove, private property open to butterfly enthusiasts. Just south of Alamo is Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge along the Rio Grande River, and Bentsen State Park, the World Birding Center and NABA's Butterfly Park are concentrated along the river near Mission. Further west lie Salineno/Chapeno, Falcon Dam, Zapata and San Ygnacio.

Common butterflies include Queen, White Peacock, Common Mestra, Clouded Skipper, Large Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow, Southern Dogface, Red-bordered Metalmark, Ceraunus Blue, Phaon Crescent, Laviana White-Skipper, Common and Tropical Checkered-Skippers, Sachem, Fiery Skipper, and Sickle-winged Skipper. Queens are sometimes so numerous that dozens can be found on a single Eupatorium bush! Some of the more colorful Valley specialties are Malachite (green and black), Blue Metalmark (a shiny metallic blue), Great Purple Hairstreak, Pixie (black, red and yellow), Zebra Heliconian (black and yellow), Silver-banded Hairstreak (a tiny, lime-green butterfly), Bordered Patch, Crimson Patch, Red Rim, Mexican Bluewing (blue or lavender stripes), Two-barred Flasher (iridescent turquoise patches), and Guava Skipper. Tiny hairstreaks with delicate patterns include Dusky-blue Groundstreak, Clytie Ministreak, Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Red-crescent Scrub-Hairstreak, and Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak, all of which I saw this year (2 were lifers). The Blue-eyed Sailor - a lifer and a rare stray - that I admired near the NABA Butterfly Park was matched by another being seen simultaneously by other butterfliers in the park itself, confirming that there were 2 of these incredibly marked butterflies within a mile of each other. Less colorful but still interesting are Gray Cracker (a perfection of camouflage which is nearly invisible when it rests open-winged on tree trunks), Carolina and Gemmed Satyrs, Giant and Great Southern White, Lyside Sulphur, Texan Crescent, Pale-banded Crescent, the Longtails, and the numerous skipper species that can be found in the Valley. To view these and other Valley butterflies, visit the photo gallery of the web site www.neotropicalbutterflies.com, hosted by Richard Lehman, a NABA member living in the Valley (www.neotropicalbutterflies.com).

While butterflying, it's easy to get distracted by the numerous bird species that are found in the Valley. Kiskadee, Altamira Oriole, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Green Jay are bright additions to the landscape. Roadrunners stroll through the grass along country roadsides. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Kestrels, Mockingbirds, Harris's Hawks, and an occasional Loggerhead Shrike (a bird in serious decline) sit in the open on telephone wires. Crested Caracaras and White-tailed Kites are impressive raptors. Olive Sparrow is a shy bird, while the Great-tailed Grackles are visible everywhere. This year, I observed a banded Aplomado Falcon at close range - a rare sighting indeed. Two Crimson-collared Grosbeaks, endemic to northeastern Mexico, inexplicably arrived at the Frontera Audubon Center for what seems to be an extended stay; they were easily observed by the many birders who came looking for them, including myself.

Visiting the Valley is easy. I usually fly into Harlingen on Southwest, but many people fly into McAllen. There is one main highway that traverses the Valley, U.S. 83, which is under construction to become Interstate 69. Driving is easy and it is possible to visit multiple locations in one day. The weather is generally sunny and temperatures range from the low 70s to the high 80s. A Birder's Guide to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, published by the American Birding Association, is useful for butterfliers as well, because many of the locations overlap and the book contains area maps; however, it does not contain the newer gardens and parks that are geared primarily to butterflying. For identification, Glassberg and Kaufman are the main butterfly guides. Butterflies of North America by Jim Brock and Kenn Kaufman includes all of the Valley specialties and many of the rarities. Most of these are also found in Jeffrey Glassberg's Butterflies through Binoculars: the East and Butterflies through Binoculars: the West (you'll need both books). In October, the city of Mission hosts its annual Butterfly Festival, a combination of field trips and indoor presentations. A listserve called TxButterflies provides information about recent sightings, rare strays, directions to various locations, etc. but it's not just for the Rio Grande Valley. NABA's main web site, (www.naba.org), also has a Recent Sightings page. One cautionary note: butterfly abundance varies from year to year, depending on rain/drought conditions, availability of nectaring sources, etc. so you might want to check with local butterfliers before committing to a trip.

If anyone does plan to visit the Rio Grande Valley, whether for butterflies, birds, or both, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to provide any help I can.

6. LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT?

Consider giving a membership in NABA! With this gift, there are no worries over size, color, etc., no hassles with shopping mall parking lots or lines of shoppers, and the recipient will receive great information from NABA and our local chapter throughout the whole year ahead. Membership information is included at the end of this newsletter. Happy Holidays from St. Louis NABA!

7. AND MORE...

NEWSLETTER ARTICLES WELCOME:
Please send articles, stories, photos, or suggestions for this "Flutterby News" newsletter to: Dave Larson (Email address below).

YOUR CURRENT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:
President Ann Earley
Vice President Torrey Berger
Secretary Kathleen O'Keefe
Treasurer Dave Berry
Butterfly Gardening Dennis Bozzay
Conservation Yvonne Homeyer
Education Margaret Gilleo
Membership Scott Marshall
Newsletter Dave Larson
Public Relations Kate Boden
Walks & Counts Jim Ziebol
Web Master Dave Larson
View photo of board members

If you have questions or suggestions, e-mail Ann Earley (aee623ATprodigy.net). Our webpage is: www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/stlouis.htm

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:
(or view online membership application form)

If you would like to join NABA, please fill out this application. You will become a member of both NABA and the local St. Louis Chapter, if you live within the St. Louis metropolitan area or nearby Illinois area:

Name ____________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City ___________________ State _______ Zip__________
Phone (....) _____________ E-mail ___________________

Dues are $30 (regular) and $40 (family) per year. Please make check payable to NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION. Please mail this form with your check to: Scott Marshall, Membership, 609 West Lockwood, St. Louis, MO 63119.