On pages 185-193 of the 2024 winter edition of News of the Lepidopterists’ Society (vol 66 #4) James Adams and Brian Scholtens documented the first leg of their Lepidoptera field trip through Nebraska, the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska (again) and Kansas this past summer. The first four pages (185-188) document in text and photosContinue reading “James and Brian’s Excellent Adventure”
Author Archives: hpahaska
2024 Moth Finds
In 2024 Lepidoptera enthusiasts found six previously unreported species in the state. Moth savant Mark Brogie added three new species from his residence in Creighton (Knox County) – a Four-dotted Agonopterix, Aethes baloghi and a Milky Plume Moth. sageraine (iNaturalist) reported a White-spotted Cankerworm Moth in Lincoln (Lancaster County). Colin Croft attracted a Lethal PyraustaContinue reading “2024 Moth Finds”
Correction/Addendum
In case you missed the comment, Casey Galvin reached out to provide more accurate information on the populations of Diana Fritillaries from whence the male Lori photographed likely strayed. It turns out there are no resident populations of the Diana Fritillary in Missouri (as I had stated), instead the nearest are in northwest Arkansas/northeast Oklahoma.Continue reading “Correction/Addendum”
Thanks to All!!
What a great 2024! I’d like to extend a thank you to everyone contributing records and expand our understanding of Nebraska’s diverse Lepidopteran fauna. On the butterfly side one state record and ten county records were found/submitted. Lori Tomes had the find of the year when she photographed this male Diana Fritillary in Saunders CountyContinue reading “Thanks to All!!”
Haven’t Seen That in Awhile
Last Sunday afternoon Jonathan Nikkila was attending the Fall Nature Festival at Kearney’s Yanney Heritage Park (Buffalo County) when he photographed a non-descript skipper. Then yesterday in our yard in Elm Creek (also Buffalo County) I noticed a similar skipper visiting my wife’s flowerbed. Both are Eufala Skippers (Lerodea eufala), a species inhabiting more southerlyContinue reading “Haven’t Seen That in Awhile”
The White M Hairstreak Enigma
Last week (October 10) Loren and Babs Padelford photographed a White M Hairstreak at their residence in Bellevue (Sarpy County) Nebraska. This butterfly is a rather recent addition to Nebraska’s butterfly fauna, first being reported from Fontenelle Forest in 2012. It’s home range includes most of the eastern United States including portions of Iowa andContinue reading “The White M Hairstreak Enigma”
Addendum to Sphinx Moth Post
Thanks to Jen Corman for the reminder/prompt. What a scrooge I am!! Of course I should have included the crayon drawing that began this journey of discovery. Below is Azalea and Ezekial Witter’s depiction of a Gaudy Sphinx (before being run over by a mower).
Two Late Sphinx Moth Records
I apologize for the dearth of posts this past season, but I’ve been fighting various tech issues this past summer. Of course, now that the season has pretty much passed, I think I finally have everything resolved. Jonathan Nikkila’s insect investigation network has discovered a couple of amazing sphinx moth records. On September 5 EmilyContinue reading “Two Late Sphinx Moth Records”
Two New Custer County Records
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 (easilyContinue reading “Two New Custer County Records”
Niobrara Valley Preserve Annual Butterfly Count
Earlier this month (July 2) eleven persons participated in the 37th Annual Butterfly Count at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve. The day started out cool and overcast, limiting butterfly activity, but by early afternoon the skies had cleared and numbers increased. Despite the slow start 356 butterflies from 33 species were recorded, up fromContinue reading “Niobrara Valley Preserve Annual Butterfly Count”