July in Nature

butterflies in july story and photos by Matt Perry

July is a highly active month in nature. Traditionally it is the best time of year to see butterflies in our region. Although in the Mohawk Valley, butterflies of several species are encountered in the other warm months, most do not enter their adult stage (flighted stage) until late June. Finding butterflies entails visiting the habitat where they feed and breed. When looking for them it is wise to take a path that traverses a variety of habitat types since different species have different habitat requirements. I try to take paths that have woods or wetlands on one side and meadow on the other. Paths like these may be used by butterflies that live in both habitats. I look for the plants that provide nectar and also plant species that butterflies lay their eggs on. These are called “host plants.” Most butterfly host plants are common species that grow with little coaxing. Most occur naturally in the environment in areas that are unspoiled or left fallow. Common plants such as violets, nettles, elm, cherry, and willow are important host plants for native butterflies. Fritillaries like the Great Spangled Fritillary will lay their eggs on violets, often those growing right in and along a meadow path. A Red Admiral butterfly may lay its eggs on Wood Nettle plants which grow along woodland trails. American Lady butterflies lay their eggs on composites and, in our region, they seem to prefer the composite species called Pearly Everlasting. The Baltimore checkerspot butterfly usually lays its eggs on Turtlehead. Turtlehead is a native plant that inhabits wetlands and streamsides in our region.

At our nature preserve, one of my favorite places to check for butterflies is a wetland we call Winterberry Swamp. Besides the shrub called Winterberry, the wetland contains many plants that can be found nowhere else at the preserve including ferns species usually associated with the Adirondacks. In July it can be an especially good place to find butterflies. When I come into the swamp, I am looking specifically for two species known to breed there. One, the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly, lays its eggs on leaves of Turtlehead plants

Baltimore Checkerspot

which grow in the swamp; the other, the Eyed Brown butterfly, lays its eggs on sedges that grow in and around the wetland pools. Other butterfly species come to the swamp to feed on the various wildflowers. One of the showier plants is called Swamp Milkweed. It grows taller than common Milkweed and its flowers are redder with a flatter top. Monarch butterflies, checkerspots, fritillaries, and swallowtails enjoy sipping nectar from these natural feeding stations in the swamp.

Back in late May, I had encountered the black and orange hairy caterpillars of Baltimore Checkerspots feeding on the leaves of turtlehead plants in this swamp. Now those

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caterpillars have emerged from their chrysalises. They were fully formed, flighted adults, and were fluttering around the wetland looking for mates. I saw a female hanging on a Cinnamon Fern about a foot above the ground and fanning her gaudy, checkered wings. As she fanned, she emitted pheromones, and males from around the swamp converged on her position – all were keen to breed. When seen in flight, the Baltimore Checkerspots look like dark, medium-small butterflies, and nothing special. It’s only when you see one close up that you can appreciate its vivid colors and the bold pattern on its wings.

While stepping through the marsh I stirred another resident breeder out of hiding. It was an Eye Brown butterfly. That species’ name provides a good description of its appearance. It is light brown with a row of eyespots that run along its wing margins. I flushed several more of them as I continued to walk. I noticed that a few of them had tattered wings and are getting close to the end of their lives. The brown can expect to live as long as a month or as little as a couple of weeks depending on weather conditions.

To see butterflies, one should venture out in mid-morning on a warm, windless day. If possible, go somewhere where the habitat is varied. Keep your eyes open and your camera and binoculars on the ready. There is no better time of year than July to look for and to enjoy butterflies. • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Eyed Brown Baltimore Checkerspot Chrysalis

Silver spotted Skipper

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Mohawk Valley Living Board Game #1 Frankfort, NY

2-6 players. Needed: 1 die and any game pieces (or coins)

The player who travels through Frankfort and reaches the red Finish circle first wins. You must roll an exact number to move your piece into the Finish circle.

Place all players game pieces in green Start circle. Each player rolls the die. The player with the highest number goes first and play proceeds clockwise (to the left).

If you land on a green circle, follow the arrow.

If you land on a blue circle, roll the die and follow the instructions in the blue box for the corresponding number.

If you land on the Railroad Crossing, you miss a turn.

If you land on the same circle as another player, send them BACK to the nearest yellow circle. If there is no yellow circle between player and Start, send to Start

If you land on the pink Herkimer County Fair circle—Play a midway game!

Midway Game instructions:

Choose a number. Each of your opponents (clockwise) must choose a different number. Roll the die. If you roll your number move AHEAD to the next yellow circle. If you roll an opponent's number move them BACK to the next yellow circle. If no yellow circle is between player and Start circle, send to Start. If no one chose the number rolled your turn is over.

You can play the game with the magazine open or you remove it by carefully prying up the staples and lifting out the game board, then press staples back down again.