Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa is the first butterfly to appear in April here at Flower Hill Farm. It hibernates as an adult and will awaken sometimes earlier, when the temperatures rise and stay warmer for days . . . as they often do in March.They might crawl out from under a piece of bark or out of a small hollow opening in a tree.I was surprised to learn that a Mourning Cloak butterfly can live up to ten months.This male or female is perched on the ground and as you can see, … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Mourning Cloak and Red Admiral
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Mourning Cloak and Red Admiral
Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa is the first butterfly to appear in April here at Flower Hill Farm. It hibernates as an adult and will awaken sometimes earlier, when the temperatures rise and stay warmer for days . . . as they often do in March.They might crawl out from under a piece of bark or out of a small hollow opening in a tree.I was surprised to learn that a Mourning Cloak butterfly can live up to ten months.This male or female is perched on the ground and as you can see, there is … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Mourning Cloak and Red Admiral
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Viceroy
The Viceroy Limenitis archippus, is a bright orange butterfly with black veins, cleverly mimicking the bad tasting and tummy aching (for the birds) milkweed butterflies. It is classified as a Mullerian mimic of the Monarch butterfly.Therefore upon first sighting the Viceroy, an observer may believe it to be a Monarch butterfly. There are many differences, however . . . such as size and hue intensity . . . but the easiest way to identify the Viceroy, is to note the thick black vein … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Viceroy
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Viceroy
The Viceroy Limenitis archippus, is a bright orange butterfly with black veins, cleverly mimicking the bad tasting and tummy aching (for the birds) milkweed butterflies. It is classified as a Mullerian mimic of the Monarch butterfly. Therefore upon first sighting the Viceroy, an observer may believe it to be a Monarch butterfly. There are many differences, however . . . such as size and hue intensity . . . but the easiest way to identify the Viceroy, is to note the thick black vein drawn … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite Viceroy
Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite White Admiral and Red-spotted Purple
White Admiral (left) and Red-spotted Purple on Beauty bush 2009When I began this series, I had thought to just include photos for 2011, but with some butterflies, and especially these, I am including some from the past three years. The link between the White Admiral Limenitis arthemis arthemis and the Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis astyanax is a fascinating one. If I understand it correctly, here in Massachusetts, the more southernly Red-spotted Purple and northern White … [Read more...] about Flower Hill Farm BUTTERFLIES OF 2011 ~ Favorite White Admiral and Red-spotted Purple
