Staying on the theme of butterflies with type localities in Nebraska, back in 1920 Richard A Leussler (that man again – see Jan 8 post) described what he believed to be a new species of Checkerspot which he called Euphydryas bernadetta. In the years since the powers that be have decided that it is actuallyContinue reading “Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska – Bernadetta Checkerspot (Euphydryas anicia bernadetta)”
Monthly Archives: February 2021
Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska – Nebraska and Kohler’s Fritillaries with an updated distribution map
Let’s revisit a theme from the Jan 2 post (butterflies with type localities in Nebraska). The Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) currently has eight named subspecies spread across the northern half of the United States. Among these eight two are named from type localities in Nebraska. The first B. selene nebraskensis (W. Holland, 1928) was namedContinue reading “Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska – Nebraska and Kohler’s Fritillaries with an updated distribution map”
Found one time in Nebraska – The Hermit (Grais stigmaticus)
On 9/20/2005 Doug Long found another butterfly (skipper actually) in the state for the first time. This time is was a Hermit (Grais stigmaticus) which he found near Holbrook in Furnas County. While certainly not the most colorful “butterfly” in Nebraska (many people would have mistaken it for a moth) Doug alertly noticed the yellowContinue reading “Found one time in Nebraska – The Hermit (Grais stigmaticus)”
Found one time in Nebraska – Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea)
Back on May 2 1989 I was looking to get outside for a spring butterfly outing. Harlan County Reservoir was just an hour away so off I went. I parked in the lot at the south end of the dam and started checking the chokecherry, lilac and aromatic sumac flowers which were all in bloom.Continue reading “Found one time in Nebraska – Cobweb Skipper (Hesperia metea)”
Found one time in Nebraska – Leda Hairstreak (Mimistrymon leda)
On June 24 1989 Jim Reiser and myself were out on Nebraska Highway 2 in Sheridan County (2 miles west of Ellsworth). We had found a colony of Ruddy Coppers (one of the more striking butterflies in the state) taking nectar from dogbane along the Burlington Northern railroad right of way. At some point JimContinue reading “Found one time in Nebraska – Leda Hairstreak (Mimistrymon leda)”
Another Doug Long State Record Pyrisitia nise – Mimosa Sulphur
On July 18 1993 Doug Long found another butterfly never before recorded from Nebraska. In Holbrook (I assume in his yard) he found this Mimosa Sulphur (Pyrisitia nise). I likely would not have given it a second look and passed it off as a Little Yellow (P. lisa). As a small (more “delicate”) butterfly andContinue reading “Another Doug Long State Record Pyrisitia nise – Mimosa Sulphur”
2020 – A look back (Season Summary)
Every year I compile a Season Summary to submit to the Lepidopterists’ Society highlighting new county/state records for butterflies, new moth species for the state and anything other interesting finds. I’ll briefly summarize what I reported this year. 2020 turned out to be a pretty good year diversity wise. Roughly a dozen observers recorded 113Continue reading “2020 – A look back (Season Summary)”
A Doug Long state record Anaea aidea – Tropical Leafwing
On October 26 1996 Doug found this butterfly in his backyard in Holbrook NE. If I recall correctly he said it was on a watermelon rind he had left in the garden to attract butterflies. Well I guess it worked. Most people (myself included) would have thought “Hey, that’s interesting, a Goatweed Butterfly”. (The GoatweedContinue reading “A Doug Long state record Anaea aidea – Tropical Leafwing”
Doug Long – Citizen Scientist Extraordinaire
Back in my student days at Kearney State College the Biology Department sent out newsletters to high school Biology teachers. My academic advisor (Dr. Harold Nagel) had an idea to send out solicitations for students/teachers interested in contributing specimens/data on Lepidoptera species. One of the responses we got was from one of Doug Long’s kids.Continue reading “Doug Long – Citizen Scientist Extraordinaire”