Terry Mason reached out to inform me that he has sighted two butterflies in Custer County that had not yet been recorded there, these being an Olive/Juniper Hairstreak and several Snout Butterflies.
Larvae of the hairstreak feed on cedars so this species should eventually be found in every county. But being very local, small (easily overlooked) and uncommon after spring they remain unreported from about 40 counties.
Snout Butterflies (named for their peculiar body shape) are southern strays that appear and breed (larvae feed on Hackberry trees) in the state. It has now been reported from 51 counties. We see at least one in our yard nearly every year. So in time we should be able to gather records from the remaining 42 counties.
These two “new” finds bring Custer County’s species total to a respectable 69.
Thanks again to Terry!!