 |
| Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) - Orange, CT Photo copyright: Sean Graesser |
"Lepping" along at Turkey Hill
At the Turkey Hill Preserve in Orange, CT
we are currently conducting field surveys in support of a Conservation and
Management plan for the Town Conservation Commission. While out surveying for odonata
(dragonflies and damselflies) and lepidoptera (butteflies and moths) I caught
something different out of the corner of my eye. I saw a larger hairstreak
(butterfly) with a funny suspicion it might not be an everyday CT “lep”. Well,
my suspicions were confirmed when a Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) fluttered up and landed in front of me. I was only able to get the one photo and
could not relocate it
The Red-banded Hairstreak is a more southerly ranging species.
However, its range is beginning to expand northward in recent years. They can
be found in open fields and forest edges. They have a few preferred nectar
sources including common yarrow (Achillea
millefolium), sweet pepperbush (Clethra
alnifolia) and common milkweed (Asclepias
syriaca). Hopefully, others will be able to enjoy this amazing species in
CT this season.
Sean Graesser
CAS Conservation Technician
No comments:
Post a Comment