BUTTERFLIES OF HIGH PARK

Transcription

1 SWALLOWTAILS PAPILIONIDAE Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor rare ern Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes un to fairly Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes rare ern rare in the west to Lake Ontario shoreline, mainly in the, mainly in the west where host plants occur; has recently colonized areas north of historical range in ern and eastern Ontario Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus in the ern part of the ; sporadically distributed north of Toronto Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus rare to un; in 2008 in the west pipevines (Aristolochia) parsley family hop tree, prickly ash, nonnative ornamentals in the citrus family cherry, ash, tulip tree, hop tree spicebush, sassafras occasionally breeds in the ; a few fresh individuals recorded in High Park in late August 2000, and again in June and August of 2001 and 2002, probably emerged nearby; host plant occurs in Ontario only as an ornamental Bob Yukich recorded one individual in High Park on August 28, 2003 following a northward incursion of this species into our area; a few were also recorded in the park in 2006 and 2008; may now be a rare breeder in the Toronto region, using non-native ornamentals as well as native host plants where they occur the northern edge of this species range is not clearly delineated; it overlaps the ern edge of the range of the smaller, more northern Canadian Tiger Swallowtail P. canadensis which is almost identical in appearance bred in High Park in 1999 (two broods) and 2000, possibly in other years as well; overwinters as a pupa within 30 cm of the ground; certainly uses abundant sassafras here; small, isolated population makes it vulnerable WHITES AND YELLOWS PIERIDAE Cabbage White Pieris rapae and widespread mustard family non-native; introduced from Europe around 1860 Clouded Sulphur Colias philodice and widespread white clover, alfalfa, vetch Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme ern and widespread alfalfa, white clover breeds after its arrival producing at least two more generations; at times abundant in ern Ontario; not known to over-winter in the Little Yellow Eurema lisa rare ern GOSSAMER-WINGS LYCAENIDAE rare mainly in the Cassia does not over-winter in the ; not known to breed in our area American Copper Lycaena phlaeas historical record locally sheep sorrel, curled dock an old specimen from High Park in the ROM Bronze Copper Lycaena hyllus historical record; one recent sighting; locally, especially in the curled dock, water dock, smartweed species associated with wetlands; Bob Yukich saw a very fresh individual in suitable breeding habitat along the east side of Grenadier Pond on July 10, 2007 Coral Hairstreak Satyrium titus uncertain (extirpated?) locally in the cherry, plum reported from High Park in the 1980 s Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June

2 Acadian Hairstreak Satyrium acadica rare to un widespread, mostly in the Edwards' Hairstreak Satyrium edwardsii uncertain locally un to in the willows oak saplings, especially black oak though in Toronto, this species is rarely encountered in High Park; in July 2008 Bob Yukich observed a freshly emerged individual near the High Park Forest School, and later, a worn individual near Grenadier Pond declining (extirpated?) in High Park; present up to the mid-1990 s; no recent reports Banded Hairstreak Satyrium calanus fairly mainly in the oak, walnut, hickory the most hairstreak in High Park Hickory Hairstreak Satyrium caryaevorum rare typically rare to un hickories, oaks and others can be a difficult species to identify due to in the similarity in appearance to S. calanus Striped Hairstreak Satyrium liparops un un to fairly Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus rare ern Marine Blue Leptotes marina very rare ern un (resident?) in the extreme west; a resident population breeds locally in the north very rare in the ; previously reported only from Point Pelee (twice) where it bred in 1993, producing three generations in a single season heath and rose families including hawthorn, cherry, plum variety of "weedy" plants; sweetfern in the north various legumes Eastern Tailed-Blue Everes comyntas, mainly in the legumes including tick trefoil Spring Azure Celastrina ladon un and widespread wide variety including cherry, blueberry, viburnums Summer Azure Celastrina neglecta in the, less so in the north wide variety including dogwoods, viburnums, New Jersey tea legumes, mainly cow vetch in our area a few recorded in High Park in 1999, a year that saw many rare ern butterflies in the ; likely bred producing a second generation that emerged in the fall; a fresh individual was also recorded in the park on Aug. 3, 2008 by Barry Harrison this is essentially a tropical species that migrates northward, occasionally reaching the U.S. midwest; a small colony of all freshly emerged individuals was discovered at Marie Curtis Park, Toronto on July 12, On July 22, 2008 Bob Yukich observed a freshly emerged male and female of this species nectaring on blue vervain in a wet meadow at the east corner of Grenadier Pond in most years this species is in High Park; in some it is almost absent much less within the city than C. neglecta which flies later in the season similar in appearance to C. ladon, but does not fly until early June Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus fairly, except absent from the west this species has been undergoing a ward range extension and was first recorded in Toronto about 1998; the first confirmed breeding in High Park, where it is now established, was in plot 1D in June 2003; Karner Blue Lycaeides melissa samuelis historical record extirpated about 1991 wild lupine extirpated from High Park around 1926 Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June

3 BRUSHFOOTS NYMPHALIDAE American Snout Libytheana carinenta rare ern Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia rare ern ern in the extreme west rare, mainly in the hackberries Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele un and widespread violets Aphrodite FWritillary Speyeria aphrodite historical record to un much of the violets Atlantis Fritillary Speyeria atlantis historical record in the north; absent violets from the west Meadow Fritillary Boloria bellona historical record; one locally violets or two recent much of the sightings (likely nonbreeding) Silvery Checkerspot Chlosyne nycteis rare locally, but more widespread in the north Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos usually un in the wide variety including violets, flax, stonecrop, plantain composites such as sunflowers, asters asters migrates annually into the ern part of the, breeding at locations such as Point Pelee and Pelee Island where its host plant is ; does not over-winter; Barry Harrison saw a single individual in ornamental gardens along the end of Colborne Lodge Dr. in High Park on July 29, 2007, a year when there were many sightings of this species north of its usual range usually does not breed in the old specimens from High Park in the ROM two old specimens from High Park in the ROM old specimens from High Park in the ROM; Bob Yukich saw a fresh female nectaring on boneset in a wet meadow, its preferred habitat, at the east corner of Grenadier Pond on August 21, 2006; there are no known colonies in the west end of Toronto, but this species is known to wander Bob Yukich recorded two individuals in High Park in plot 1B on July 10, 2000 (first known record for the park); single individuals were subsequently recorded here in July of 2001 and 2002, as well as in plot 9B in July 2004; a rare breeder in the park, this species is vulnerable and susceptible to habitat disturbance see comments under P. selenis Northern Crescent Phyciodes selenis (cocyta) usually un and widespread asters both this species and P. tharos are often scarce in High Park; identification of either Tawny Crescent species can be problematic at times due to similarities in their appearance Phyciodes batesii historical record locally un to asters one old specimen from High Park in the ROM Baltimore Checkerspot Euphydryas phaeton historical record locally where host plant occurs Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis un to Eastern Comma Polygonia comma ern un to turtlehead nettles, elms, hops nettles, elms, hops an old specimen from High Park in the ROM; a species associated with wetlands not known to over-winter in the like other Polygonia, hibernates over the winter as an adult Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June

4 Gray Comma Polygonia progne rare un to fairly much of the Compton Tortoiseshell Nymphalis vau-album un currants, gooseberries, birches, elms willow, birch, poplar Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa fairly and widespread wide variety including willows, elms, poplars Milbert s Tortoiseshell Nymphalis milberti historical record; a few recent sightings; American Lady Vanessa virginiensis un to ern Painted Lady Vanessa cardui rare to ern Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta un to ern Common Buckeye Junonia coenia rare to un ern locally un to fairly much of the rare to, mainly in the White Admiral Limenitis arthemis arthemis un in the north, mostly absent from the west Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis astyanax un in the, mainly absent from the north Viceroy Limenitis archippus rare, especially in the Northern Pearly-Eye Enodia anthedon un locally un to Eyed Brown Satyrodes eurydice historical record locally to abundant, mainly in the ern part of the Little Wood-Satyr Megisto cymela to abundant to abundant, especially in the old specimens from High Park in the ROM; on July 27, 2008 Bob Yukich photographed a fresh individual nectaring on purple coneflower at the Children s Garden along Colborne Lodge Dr. in High Park, the first known park record for this species in modern times often recorded in High Park in early spring; these are likely migrants from the north that, having arrived the previous fall, hibernated over the winter; there are a few summer records for the park where it occasionally breeds like other Nymphalis, hibernates over the winter as an adult few individuals were observed nectaring on ornamentals at various locations in High Park during the summer of 2007 breeds after its arrival producing one or more generations; does not over-winter in the usually rare but in certain years quite ; usually breeds after its arrival, producing one or more generations; does not over-winter in the breeds after its arrival, producing one or more generations; may occasionally over-winter, only as an adult will sometimes colonize; does not over-winter; in 1999 this species was quite much of ern Ontario L. a. arthemis and L. a. astyanax were once considered separate species intermediates between astyanax and arthemis are often seen in the Toronto region; both forms can sometimes be seen side by side in High Park mainly associated with wetlands; surprisingly, this species is rarely encountered in High Park; not known to breed a species of shady, light-dappled woodlands; often perches on tree trunks wetland species Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June nettles everlastings, wormwoods, burdocks, ironweed composites including thistles, knapweed, burdock, sunflowers nettles gerardia, toadflax, plantain willow, aspen, poplar, birch cherries, poplars, oaks willows, poplars purple oat and reed canary sedges bluegrass and orchard grass

5 Common Ringlet Coenonympha tullia un to fairly to abundant much of the bluegrass and needle grass Common Wood-Nymph Cercyonis pegala fairly wild oat, bluestem, purpletop Monarch Danaus plexippus ern SKIPPERS HESPERIIDAE Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus fairly locally fairly, mainly in the Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus hypothetical locally rare to in the extreme and widespread milkweeds does not over-winter; visible bound migration over High Park each fall black locust, hog peanut, showy tick trefoil legumes Northern Cloudywing Thorybes pylades and widespread legumes including tick trefoil and vetch Dreamy Duskywing Erynnis icelus historical record and widespread poplar, aspen, willow, birch Juvenal s Duskywing Erynnis juvenalis historical record; two recent sightings; and widespread, mainly in the ern part of the oaks closely associated with black locust in our area one of two old specimens from Toronto in the ROM has been attributed to High Park; likely a rare breeder in our area historically old specimens from High Park in the ROM old specimens from High Park in the ROM; Bob Yukich saw a fresh male at the north end of Plot 1C on May 10, 2006, and another male north of the allotment gardens in Plot 9B on June 6, 2008 Mottled Duskywing Erynnis martialis historical record rare and local New Jersey tea old specimens from High Park in the ROM; declining in the ; apparently in High Park in the early 1900 s Funereal Duskywing Erynnis funeralis very rare ern very rare in the legumes Wild Indigo Duskywing Erynnis baptisiae un locally in the legumes including crown vetch (mainly) and wild indigo; egg laying on wild lupine was recorded in High Park on July 25, 2008 Columbine Duskywing Erynnis lucilius historical record locally, mainly in the ern part of the Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor un in the ern and central regions European Skipper Thymelicus lineola to abundant to abundant wild columbine wetland grasses including bluegrass, rice cut grass, marsh millet grasses including timothy and red top stray only; essentially a tropical species that does not breed in the ; Bob Yukich recorded an individual nectaring on purple loosestrife along the end of Grenadier Pond on August 12, 1999; fourth record for Ontario and Canada this species was first recorded in Toronto in 1998, having undergone a northward range extension from the U.S. following plantings of crown vetch; Bob Yukich recorded a single individual on the open hillside near the High Park Forest School on August 1, 2002; small numbers of this skipper are now recorded annually within the park, and it likely breeds one old specimen from High Park in the ROM mainly near wetlands in High Park our only non-native skipper, it was introduced near London, Ontario around 1910 Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June

6 Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus rare to un various weedy grasses ern rare to un in ern Ontario Leonard s Skipper Peck's Skipper Hesperia leonardus Polites peckius historical record un locally, mainly in the ern part of the locally un to bluestem and panic grass grasses including rice grass Tawny-edged Skipper Polites thermistocles un and widespread grasses including panic grass Crossline Skipper Polites origenes un locally un to, mainly in the grasses including purpletop and little bluestem Long Dash Polites mystic un and widespread grasses including bluegrass, quack, barnyard, timothy Northern Broken-Dash Wallengrenia egeremet locally, mainly in grasses including panic grass the and crab grass Little Glassywing Pompeius verna un locally un in the grasses including purpletop Delaware Skipper Anatrytone logan un to fairly locally un to grasses including bluestem, in the switch, woolly beard Hobomok Skipper Poanes hobomok fairly and widespread grasses including panic and bluegrass Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator historical record; one locally, mainly in sedges and phragmites recent sighting; the Black Dash Euphyes conspicua one recent sighting; locally un in ern Ontario sedges including tussock sedge typically a late summer in hotter years, breeding after its arrival producing one or more generations that can persist into the fall; does not over-winter in the an old specimen from High Park in the ROM easily confused with other small dark skippers easily confused with other small dark skippers Bob Yukich observed a fresh male in a wet meadow along Spring Creek at Centre Rd. on July 11, 2000; a few individuals, including a female ovipositing on big bluestem, were observed in plot 1D during July 2002; there was a viable colony here in 2004; apparently this species was also present in the park in the 1980 s and may have since been overlooked due to very low numbers one of our earliest-flying skippers; closely associated with woodlands wetland species; Bob Yukich saw a fresh male nectaring on wild bergamot along the east side of Grenadier Pond on July 10, 2007; the closest known colony to High Park is in the Rouge Valley Bob Yukich observed a fresh individual of this wetland species, the first record for the city of Toronto, in plot 1D near Grenadier Pond on July 16, 2004; at the time the most easterly known colony in the was in Halton region; this species has subsequently been found in northern Durham region; the occurrence of this wetland species in High Park is remarkable considering it is nonmigratory Dun Skipper Euphyes vestris and widespread sedges the most small dark skipper in High Park; can sometimes be confused with other small dark skippers Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June

7 NOTES: This list comprises 77 species and one subspecies of butterfly known to have occurred in High Park up to the end of All of the species listed are known to or assumed to breed, or have bred, in High Park unless otherwise noted. Both the and scientific names used in this list are those found in Checklist & English Names of North American Butterflies, Second Edition, published by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Host plants listed for each species were taken from The Butterflies of Canada by R. A. Layberry, P. W. Hall and J. D. Lafontaine 1998, and The Ontario Butterfly Atlas by A. M. Holmes, Q. F. Hess, R. R. Tasker and A. J. Hanks ROM = Royal Ontario Museum. The species abundance designations are based on a typical year, and a skilled observer being in suitable habitat, in the appropriate season, under favourable weather conditions. It should be noted, however, that the population of any butterfly species can fluctuate dramatically from year to year, or even within a breeding season, due to a variety of environmental factors. abundant: recorded in large numbers on all visits; can't miss : normally recorded on all visits; hard to miss fairly : likely to be recorded on most visits un: present in small numbers; can be missed on most visits rare: can be less than annual in occurrence very rare: often several years between sightings; not to be expected Compiled by Bob Yukich November 2000; fourth revision June