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NABA Butterfly Count
2002 Highlights

A Byssus Skipper on the Nickel Preserve, OK count on 29 June 2002, by Walter Gerard. The species is rarely found on the count. Only 1.6% of counts, or fewer, reported the species during 1992-2002. The most seen on a single in 2002 was 4 (Piedmont/Rum Creek, GA) and the record on a single count was 18 individuals (Iowa City, IA in 2001).

Delaware Skipper basking on grass on Delaware County, OH count on 6 July 2002, by Pam Burtt. A widespread skipper east of the Rocky Mountains, the Delaware Skipper was reported on 23-32% of counts north of Mexico during 1997-2001. During that time, the count with the most individuals (233) was Springdale, NJ in 2001.

Five Dorcas Coppers nectaring on the same marsh cinquefoil stem on the Bemidji, MN, 21 July 2002, by John Weber, Jr. The Dorcas Copper is a highly localized, northern and montane species, but when found, it can be seen in dense clusters. The single-count high for this species is 800 individuals (Sanpete County, UT in 1996).

A lone Dorcas Copper nectaring on marsh cinquefoil, the probable caterpillar food plant for this species, on Bemidji, MN, 21 July 2002, by John Weber, Jr. The Dorcas Copper is reported on very few counts: 2% or fewer per year during 1992-2001.

An Eastern Pondhawk feeding on a Little Yellow, photographed by Wendy Allen on a 2002 SC count. The count north of Mexico with the most individuals of this butterfly on a single count usually occurs in Texas (the record is 464 on Freeport, TX in 2001). But in 1998, the single-count high was on Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, MS. A southern species with some tendency to wander northward in summer, Little Yellow typically occurs on 12-22% of counts north of Mexico per year.

A Gillett's Checkerspot perched on a composite, on Yellow Pine, ID, 1 July 2002, by Paul Castrovillo. During the entire history of the count program, this highly localized, western montane butterfly has been reported on 0-1 counts per year.

A Gillett's Checkerspot basking on the ground, on Yellow Pine, ID, 1 July 2002, by Paul Castrovillo. The most individuals of this butterfly ever reported on a single count occurred on this count this year (11).

Great Spangled Fritillary perched on Canada thistle, on Delaware County, OH count on 6 July 2002, by Pam Burtt. A widespread north temperate species, the Great Spangled Fritillary occurred on 47-55% of counts north of Mexico during 1992-2001.

A Great Spangled Fritillary on the Nickel Preserve, OK count on 29 June 2002, by Walter Gerard. The record for the most individuals of this butterfly on a single count occurred in 1994 on the North Westchester County, NY count (1012 individuals).

Counters in the field on Hobcaw Barony, SC count on 6 July 2002, by Wendy Allen.

Long Dash nectaring on Canada thistle on Central Polk County, MN, 11 July 2002, by John Weber, Jr. The Long Dash is a widespread skipper of north temperate areas but found primarily in early summer, a bit early for many counts. It was reported on 19-23% of counts north of Mexico during 1997-2001.

Long Dash nectaring on blue flag iris on Lake Bronson State Park, MN, 2 July 2002, by John Weber, Jr. The record for the most individuals of this species on a single count occurred in 1997 on the Strandurg, SD count (302).

A Northern Pearly-eye perched on a tree trund, on Delaware County, OH count on 6 July 2002, by Pam Burtt. A widespread butterfly of northeastern temperate forests, the Northern Pearly-eye rather consistently occurred on 24-27% of counts north of Mexico during 1997-2001. The single-count high occurred in 2001 on the Oshawa, ON count (121 individuals).

A Palamedes Swallowtail nectaring on white thistle (Cirsium or Carduus nuttallii), one of best nectar sources in early July, on a coastal SC count, photographed by Wendy Allen. In the last ten years (1993-2002), Hobcaw Barony, SC is the count most frequently reported the most individuals of this butterfly on a single count: 5 times (1993-96 and 2000). Hobcaw Barony also has the record for the most individuals of Palamedes Swallowtail ever found on a single count (1339 in 2000). But Francis Marion National Forest, SC had the most individuals of this species in 2002 (385).

Silvery Checkerspot nectaring on a composite on Lake Bronson State Park, MN, 2 July 2002, by John Weber, Jr. The Silvery Checkerspot is typically reported on 10-18% of counts north of Mexico per year (for the years 1992-2001). But on a few counts, it is found in high numbers: the record for the most on a single count is 5082 individuals (Pinery Provincial Park, ON in 1995).

A Tawny-edged Skipper on the Francis Marion National Forest, SC count on 5 July 2002, by Wendy Allen. This skipper is sporadically found on this count (0-2 per count per year). The count with the most individuals of this species is usually in Ontario, with Sunderland, ON holding the record for the most individuals on any count (177 in 2001).

Newly emerged Variegated Fritillaries mating on Pontotoc Ridge, OK count on 16 June 2001, by Walter Gerard. (Due to editorial error, this picture was set aside, and so is included in 2002 highlights). This butterfly is a widespread southern species, but also has a tendency to wander northward during the summer, more so in some years than others. During 1992-2001, the most counts reported this species in 2001 (36% of counts north of Mexico), while in 1993 the fewest (17%) did. The most individuals of this species on a single count also occurred in 2001 (875 on Wichita Mountains, OK).

A Common Wood-Nymph basking on a leaf on Delaware County, OH count on 6 July 2002, by Steve Layten. A butterfly of wide distribution in North America, the Common Wood-Nymh occurred on 48-56% of counts north of Mexico during 1997-2001. The record for the most individuals seen on a single count is also high: 1504 individuals in 1999 on the Western Niagara County, NY count.

[Paul Johnson, Paul Opler, Jerry Powell, Nancy Bruce]

Count leaders (left to right) Paul Johnson, Paul Opler, and Jerry Powell plan strategy for the 2nd Yuba Pass, CA count, 29 June 2002, which produced one of the highest one-day count totals (70 species). First-year counter, Nancy Bruce, bemused, looks on. Photo by Evi Buckner. The all-time record for most species on a California count occurred on Yreka, CA (78 in 1991). Other impressive species totals occurred on California counts in the late 1980s and early 1990s: Yreka, CA (70 in 1988, 71 in 1989) and Mount Shasta, CA (73 in 1990, 75 in 1991).

The dark female form of the Zabulon Skipper was seen on the Indian Cave, NE count on 2 August 2002, by Babs Padelford. Although a relatively widespread southern species, the Zabulon Skipper is reported on relatively few counts per year (6-11% of counts north of Mexico per year, 1997-2001). This may be because the species has two generation per year, and most counts are held in late June and July, which is primarily after the time when the first generation of adults can be seen but mostly before the time when the second generation of adults appears.

The typical light form of the Zabulon Skipper was photographed on the Indian Cave, NE count on 2 August 2002, by Loren Padelford. The record for the most Zabulon Skippers on a single count occurred in 2000 on the Durham, NC count (148 individuals).

23-Jan-2005 / Main Page

NABA Butterfly Count 2002 Highlights

NABA Butterfly Count
2002 Highlights