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”
Tag Archives: Jonathan Nikkila
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”
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”
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”
Niobrara Valley Preserve 35th annual butterfly count
On July 10th ten individuals gathered at the Niobrara Valley Preserve to conduct the 35th consecutive annual butterfly count. Participants included Neil Dankert, Jonathan and Bennett Nikkila, Jen Corman (NE G&P), and Jojo Morelli, Krystal Church, Sanketh Menon, Kevin Meyer, Paul Stofferahn and Chris Helzer, all of the Nature Conservancy. This year’s count was heldContinue reading “Niobrara Valley Preserve 35th annual butterfly count”
Moths, Moths and More Moths
A grant from Nebraska Game and Parks Watchable Wildlife program has enabled us to add several major moth groups to our website. With the assistance of Steve Spomer from UNL we (Jonathan Nikkila and myself) have been able to gather up records and specimens for Silkworm Moths, Sphinx (aka Hawk or Hummingbird) Moths and UnderwingContinue reading “Moths, Moths and More Moths”
More Marine Blues
While most other butterflies have passed their peak numbers, the same cannot be said for Marine Blues. This past weekend five observers reported Marine Blues from six counties where they had not been previously reported. Colin Croft found one in Banner County in the far southern reaches of Wildcat Hills SRA. Jonathan Nikkila found themContinue reading “More Marine Blues”
Niobrara Valley Preserve 2022 Butterfly Count
On July 6 seven intrepid observers set out on the Niobrara Valley Preserve’s 34th annual butterfly count. Conditions were incredibly dry (perhaps accounting for the lower overall numbers observed) but we were able to record 28 species and 161 individual butterflies. These totals fell roughly in line with averages for the last 10 years (26.8Continue reading “Niobrara Valley Preserve 2022 Butterfly Count”
Western Nebraska: Good for family & butterflies
By Jonathan Nikkila Putting to use all the tips, tricks and ID help Neil Dankert has given me over the years, I spent a day during our family vacation to the Pine Ridge last week to hunt for Western Nebraska butterfly species. My family was staying at Ft. Robinson State Park, a great place forContinue reading “Western Nebraska: Good for family & butterflies”
Firey Skipper and Marine Blue Alert
This past weekend Jon Nikkila and Jen and I both found Firey Skippers (Hylephila phyleus) in previously unrecorded counties, Jon in Valley County and Jen and I in Polk County. In addition both Jon and I have seen Marine Blues (Leptotes marina) in our yards here in Buffalo County. Last weekend I saw one inContinue reading “Firey Skipper and Marine Blue Alert”