Once three California Tortoiseshells were found in Sioux County on July 11 it seemed likely more sightings would follow. This has proved out as another has been sighted by Marie Smith at her residence in Gering (Scotts Bluff Co.). She reports that one has been in her yard for three days. What a treat! ColinContinue reading “Another California Tortoiseshell”
Tag Archives: Sioux County
Invasion of the California Tortoiseshells
How to follow up with the first Mulberry Wing Skipper photographed in Nebraska? Colin Croft was kind enough to share his experience from July 11. With a relatively milder day forecast for Monday July 11th, I headed off north into SiouxCounty from Scottsbluff/Gering to check up on my little quarter section of pasture about15 milesContinue reading “Invasion of the California Tortoiseshells”
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”
New subspecies described from Nebraska – Lon (Poanes) taxiles albimaculatus
In the latest “Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society” Steve Spomer (recently retired from UNL) has described a new subspecies of the Taxiles Skipper – Lon taxiles albimaculatus. For those of you struggling to keep up with the latest taxonomy Lon has replaced Poanes for some members of the genus, taxiles included. The type locality (seeContinue reading “New subspecies described from Nebraska – Lon (Poanes) taxiles albimaculatus”
Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska: Lycaena rubidus longi K. Johnson and Balogh, 1977
Pardon my neglect in putting out new material. I’ve been learning some new mapping software to make new distribution maps for Nebraska’s 200+ species (the last ones for the state were put out in 2004/05). I’ve also been comparing notes with Steve Spomer to synchronize our data. So hopefully it will all be worth it.Continue reading “Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska: Lycaena rubidus longi K. Johnson and Balogh, 1977”
Butterflies with Type Localities in Nebraska – Bernadetta Checkerspot (Euphydryas anicia bernadetta)
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)”
Richard A Leussler – Nebraska’s Greatest Lepidopoterist and Hesperia pahaska
It is of interest that while Richard A Leussler was/is perhaps Nebraska’s most noted Lepidopterist, that was not his vocation. While I was unable to find out much about his early years he was evidently born in St Louis in 1866 and came to Nebraska in 1902 as an executive in the Omaha and CouncilContinue reading “Richard A Leussler – Nebraska’s Greatest Lepidopoterist and Hesperia pahaska”
Woulda/Coulda/Shoulda vol 1
I’ve been describing “Big Year” butterflies as I found them but the lull while waiting for the late summer fliers affords me an opportunity to cover a few things I thought I would find earlier this summer but for a variety of reason’s did not. Strecker’s Giant Skipper – Megathymus streckeri In Nebraska this largeContinue reading “Woulda/Coulda/Shoulda vol 1”
100 (almost) !!
Last Sunday (July 19) I was out in the yard here at home and noticed a larger than usual whiteish butterfly hanging around our Sennae. After sneaking up on it (if you can imagine that) to get a better view I found it to be an albinic Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae). I suspect it wasContinue reading “100 (almost) !!”
Soldier Creek, Gilbert-Baker, Sowbelly Canyon
On day two of our three day western Nebraska field trip Jen and I started out by doing some exploring since the morning skies were cloudy and we had time to be tourists. Neither of us had ever been to Soldier Creek Wilderness (National Forest Service) adjacent to Fort Robinson State Park so we tookContinue reading “Soldier Creek, Gilbert-Baker, Sowbelly Canyon”