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Guided Butterfly Walk Season Resumes Summer 2018
Once-a-month butterfly walks are guided by Adriane Grimaldi, Gail Morris, ASU Professor Ron Rutowski, and Marceline Vandewater; revisit this page in March and April 2018 for specific dates and times when walks will be offered during Summer 2018. As with most other Arboretum nature walks, guided butterfly walks are included with regular daily admission of $12.50 for adults or $5 for ages 5-12 .
Read about Central Arizona Butterfly Association events around the state with a visit to the website http://www.cazba.org.
And read more about the
Southwest Monarch Butterfly Migration research project
Guides and others have shared digital images of butterflies here at the Arboretum
View photos of our state butterfly.
Recent sightings include:
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: October 28, 2017
the season finale butterfly walk today had 25 people attend, and we tagged 5 monarch butterflies! Other species seen today were Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Empress Leilia, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Sleepy Orange, Orange Skipperling and Tiny Checkerspot. Editor's Note: Central Arizona Butterfly Association hosts butterfly walks around Arizona - for details check out
From: Gail Morris
Date: October 8, 2017
Pipevine Swallowtail Queen (100+); Monarch (5/we tagged 3),
Painted Lady (26), Two Tailed Swallowtail, Marine Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Reakirts Blue, Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Mexican Yellow, Southern Dogface, Fatal Metalmark, Mormon Metalmark, Common Buckeye, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Eufala Skipper, Erichson's Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Funereal Duskywing, American Snout.
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: September 23, 2017
We had a great butterfly walk today - 40 people attended, and our big thrill was seeing a Two-tailed Swallowtail - that stayed for a long time and posed for our group. It was a great show! Other butterflies we saw today included Pipevine Swallowtails, Queens, Cloudless Sulfurs, Empress Lelia, One Monarch, Orange Skipperlings, Buckeye, Mexican Yellow, Southern Dogface, a variety of Blues, Hairstreaks. Please join me for the Season Finale butterfly Walk on Saturday Oct. 28.
From: Ron Rutowski and 12 Volunteers for the annual Superior Butterfly Census
Date: September 9, 2017
This was the eleventh year of the 2017 butterfly count at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and nearby areas, and the numbers we found were in the typical to high range, compared with previous counts over the past decade. We counted 43 species (our highest was 55) and 1185 individual butterflies -- which is notable, because its the most ever tallied on this count. The most common species (over 100 individuals seen of each) were the usual culprits: Pipevine Swallowtail (252), Cloudless Sulphur (166), Queen (156), Empress Leilia (135), and American Snout (122). The Oak Flat area yielded a large number of species not seen in other areas including the California Sister, Mexican Yellow, Red-spotted Purple, and Arizona Giant Skipper. All in all, it was a good day and the results will be a nice addition to the 10 years of data we already have. Thanks to the 12 count participants for their good work!
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: August 23, 2017
16 participants (12 adults and 4 children) joined our butterfly walk on Saturday, the butterflies were abundant and diverse - we saw at least 21 species which is the most I have ever had on one of these walks, and larvae and pupae of Pipevine Swallowtail and Monarchs. Species we found included Black Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Large Orange Sulphur, Leda Ministreak, Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Tiny Checkerspot, Elada Checkerspot, Painted Lady, Empress Leilia, Common Buckeye (dead); Monarch (larvae only); Queen, Funereal Duskywing, Eufala Skipper.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: June 24 , 2017
Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Reakirt's Blue, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Variegated Fritillary, Empress Leilia, Queen, Checkered Skipper.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: May 27 , 2017
Seventeen species is more than we often see during early Spring - and among those found today were Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Marine Blue, Western Pygmy Blue, American Snout, Gulf Fritillary, Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, Common Buckeye, Queen, Northern White Skipper, Northern Cloudywing.
From: Gail Morris
Date: November 13, 2016
Despite the calendar reminder that this was the middle of November, about 40 people joined me for a Season Finale walk this morning, many of them said it was the first time they ever joined a butterfly walk, so we kept to the Pollinator Garden and honed in on how to create butterfly gardens as well. We still found 15 species today in the Pollinator Garden. Just like last month, Queens ruled with over 100 still flying but second were monarch butterflies with 9 monarchs (we tagged 7) and one monarch larva on milkweed. We also found 6 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Orange Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 4 Cloudless Sulphurs, 2 Sleepy Orange, 1 Mexican Yellow, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 2 Fatal Metalmarks, 1 Common Buckeye, 6 Painted Ladies, 3 American Snouts, 2 Texan Crescents and 1 Common Checkered Skipper.
From: Gail Morris
Date: October 24, 2016
Queens ruled the butterfly parade last Saturday in the pollinator garden swarming around nectar rich flowers especially the blue butterfly mist and milkweeds. But monarchs made an appearance, too, and we counted nine flying in the area. We managed to net and tag six to track their movements over the next few months. Most monarchs looked fresh and new while only a few were ragged and aged. Surprisingly despite the high number of milkweed butterflies in the area we did not see any eggs, larvae or pupae on the milkweed. We had an exciting group of butterfly watchers interested in creating habitats in their own yard - perfect timing with the great BTA plant sale in full swing! Here are some of the butterflies we observed: 7 Pipevine swallowtail, 8 Sleepy Orange, 14 Cloudless sulphur, 3 Dainty sulphur, 3 Marine blue, 4 Western Pygmy-Blue, 1 Fatal metalmark, 4 American snout, 1 Gulf fritillary, 1 Texan Crescent, 3 Painted Lady, 1 Empress leilia, 9 Monarchs 9 (and we managed to capture and tag six of them, releasing them afterwwards) and more than 100 Queens.
From: Ron Rutowski& CAZBA annual butterfly count volunteers
Date: September 10, 2016
Central Arizona Butterfly Association's 10th Annual BTA tally on September 10 was a day with beautiful warm weather and ten count volunteers who counted and identified butterflies on the grounds and gardens of BTA, in the town of Superior, along the AZ Trail at the foot of Picketpost Mountain, and in and around Oak Flat seven miles East of the Arboretum. This year we observed a total of 36 species of butterflies which was more or less similar to the number seen in previous years although the largest number of species seen was 55 on the 2010 count. This year we saw an impressive 1084 individual butterflies, which was up from the 515 individual butterflies tallied the during our 2015 count. As in previous years, the most abundant species were the American Snout, Queen, Empress Leilia, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, and Pipevine Swallowtail. The most individual butterflies was seen on the grounds of BTA (with 512 individuals, and 17 species). However, the AZ Trailhead also produced a large number of individuals (486) and the largest number of species (22). Oak Flat was not well populated with butterflies this year, only 86 seen (19 species), perhaps because it was so dry and there were so few flowers.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: July 23
Eufala Skipper was an unseasonably early sighting at the Arboretum today - that one would more likely be found during Autumn. Nearly two years have passed since the most recent Eufala Skipper was found here; see Jim Burns' report below from November 2014 for that record. Other butterflies seen around the gardens today included Pipevine Swallowtail , Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Mexican Yellow, Gray Hairstreak (last seen here in 2013, according to records from the past few years that are posted on this page); Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Empress Leilia, Queen, Northern Cloudywing (again checking records on this page, first report of this butterfly at BTA since 2011); Arizona Powdered-Skipper and Orange Skipperling.
Mark your calendars and don't miss the next guided butterfly walk, with Adriane Grimaldi as the special guest tourguide on August 27 starting at 8:30am.
From: Ron Rutowski and Laura Miller
Date: June 25
Given how hot and dry it has been, hopes were not high for success on our Saturday butterfly walk -- but in the end we saw 13 species, and there were several high points in the walk. First, the meadow in the Demonstration Garden has been planted to attract milkweed butterflies, especially Queens, and it has really come into its own. The group walked straight to the meadow and at any given time while we were there there were 20-30 queens fluttering about feeding at the mist and milkweed flowers! Second, the meadow also now has some nice pipevine plants and we observed a Pipevine Swallowtail female laying eggs, which is always fun to see. Finally, there was an American Lady foraging for nectar in the Children's Garden. This is a rarely seen butterfly at BTA with its distinctive pair of large eyespots on the under surface of the hindwing. Here is the full list of species seen: Pipevine Swallowtail, Southern Dogface, Orange Sulphur, Sleepy Orange
Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, Texan Crescent, American Lady, Empress Leilia, Queen, Funereal Duskywing Arizona Powdered Skipper, Orange Skipperling.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: May 28
Guests on today's guided butterfly walk had a good time learning about butterflies, their life cycle and nectar/hostplants; we found 16 species - and among highlights of the morning, we witnessed a Pipevine Swallowtail ovipositing (laying eggs) on a Pipevine plant in the Pollinator Garden, and also found some Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars! Also seen today were Checkered White, Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Dainty Sulphur, Marine Blue, Ceraunus Blue, American Snout, Empress Leilia, Texan Crescent, Queen, Arizona Powdered-Skipper, White/Common Checkered Skipper, Northern White-Skipper and Orange Skipperling.
From: Ron Rutowski and Laura Miller
Date: April 23
The day was a bit slow, probably because of the wind and lower temperatures. Butterflies we found included Pipevine Swallowtail – and we saw all four stages in the life cycle, and even a mating pair. Giant Swallowtail was a surprise – these are not often seen on our butterfly walks at BTA. Others seen include Southern Dogface, Checkered White, Marine Blue, Reakirt's Blue, Texan Crescent, American Snout and Western Pygmy Blue – we saw quite a few flying about the large salt bushes next to the picnic area.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: February 20
Although the nights are still pretty cold up at BTA, we started to see some increasing butterfly activity during our bird walk this morning - including Pipevine Swallowtail (6), Sara Orangetip (4), Sleepy Orange (3), Dainty Sulphur (2), Spring Azure (6), American Snout (8), Empress Leilia (2), Mourning Cloak (5), Queen (2), Monarch (1 female).
From: Gail Morris
Date: February 14, 2016
We walked the grounds on Valentines Day to enjoy the warm weather -- and butterflies beginning to reappear after Winter cold. We saw 2 Sara orangetips, 2 Queens, 1 Monarch 1 (fresh colors, a new female); 6 Pipevine, 1 Empress Leilia , 3 Spring Azures 3 Mourning cloaks puddling (BTA groundskeeper Becky saw 4 two days earlier), 3 Sleepy Orange 3. EDITOR'S NOTE: also today Anne Leight added a few observations following the day's birdwalk that she guided, reporting "Mourning cloaks, Orangetips, a Bordered patch, and I believe a Spring White (mostly all white butterfly with a bit of black edging on the border of the top of the wing)."
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: October 22, 2015
Participants on the season finale guided butterfly walk had opportunities to see 7 Monarchs, and we tagged 3 of them as part of the continuing monarch migration research project. Other butterflies seen around the gardens included Southern Dogface, Empress Leilia, Texas Crescent, Cloudless Sulphur, Pipevine Swallowtail, Painted Lady and Queen.
From: Gail Morris and Laura Miller
Date: September 26, 2015
We had a large group for this month's guided butterfyly walk; Laura and I divided in halved, and stayed around the new pollinator garden -- focusing particularly on the milkweed habitat butterflies, and explaining how to create butterfly gardens. Before everyone arrived I spotted one common Buckeye; during the walk we had at least 50 of more queens, 8 monarchs (6 of them tagged), 3 pipevine swallowtails -- plus numerous larvae; 4 sleepy orange, 2 southern dogface, and 2 cloudless sulphur.
From: Ron Rutowski& CAZBA annual count volunteers - 9th Annual BTA Butterfly Census
Date: September 12, 2015
Central Arizona Butterfly Assocition's 9th Annual BTA tally on September 12 was a day with beautiful warm weather and eight count volunteers who thoroughly explored the grounds and gardens of BTA, also the town of Superior, the AZ Trailhead at the foot of Picketpost Mountain; also the Oak Flat campground seven miles East of the Arboretum -- plus Upper Devil's Canyon. This year we observed a total of 41 species of butterflies; for comparison the largest number of species seen was 55 on the 2010 count -- and most years we recorded 30-40 species. There were 515 individual butterflies seen (almost 1100 individuals in 2010!) and as in previous years, the most abundant species were the American Snout, Queen, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, and Pipevine Swallowtail. We were pleased to observe a single Tailed Orange at BTA which is an uncommon visitor in the early fall, but several have been seen at BTA this year. In terms of the number of individual butterflies the largest number was seen on the grounds of BTA (273) with the AZ Trailhead not far behind (177). Oak Flat was not well populated with butterflies this year, only 65 seen, perhaps because it was so dry and there were so few flowers. However, the number of species in all areas was similar and in the mid 20's
.Check out http://www.cazba.org for dates and complete details for 2016 counts - plus butterfly events around Arizona.
From: Ron Rutowski& Adriane Grimaldi
Date: August 22, 2015
Saturday morning was sunny and warm -- but butterflies were not all that abundant and active and our list of species only came to these nine, but we had excellent views of Pipevine Swallowtail, and also a chance to see many of their caterpillars on Pipevine; also Cloudless Sulphur, Sleepy Orange and Tailed Orange - this species appear in this area occassionally during the monsoons, and is not one that you'll see on the BTA butterfly list. We saw many Queens, and Adriane found a larva on a Tropical Milkweed -- with adults all over the blooming Wolfberry. We also found Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, American Snout, Fatal Metalmark. September 12 is the annual butterfly count here at the Arboretum, and September 19 participants will tag Monarchs in Canelo -- and October 3 is the McDowell Preserve Butterfly Count.Check out http://www.cazba.org for dates and complete details .
From: Adriane Grimaldi & Kurt Radamaker
Date: July 25, 2015
Butterflies see on our guided walk for July included Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Marine Blue, Cloudless Sulphur, Leda Hairstreak, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Texan Cresent, Sleepy Orange, Acacia Skipper, White checkered Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Mexican Yellow, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, and Empress Leila.
Central Arizona Butterfly Association has field trips and events including August 15 annual summer Moth Night at the Arboretum for CAZBA members and Arboretum members; September 12 is the annual butterfly count here at the Arboretum, and September 19 participants will tag Monarchs in Canelo -- and October 3 is the McDowell Preserve Butterfly Count.Check out http://www.cazba.org for dates and complete details .
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: June 27, 2015
Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Large Orange Sulphur, Dainty Sulphur, Leda Ministreak, Reakirt's Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Variegated Fritillary, Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, Queen, Funereal Duskywing, Northern White Skipper, Erichson's White Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Checkered Skipper, Orange Skipperling and Fiery Skipper.
From: Marceline VandeWaterand Laura Miller
Date: May 22, 2015
Pipevine Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Reakert's Blue, Marine Blue, American Snout, Elada Checkerspot, Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, Common Buckeye, Queen, Common Checkered Skipper and Orange Skipperling.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: April 25, 2015
Saturday's weather was cool and partly cloudy, just warm enough for butterflies, but barely! We had about 30 participants on our walk - Texan Crescents were unusually abundant; other species seen around the gardens included American Snout, Marine Blue, Reakirt's Blue, Pipevine Swallowtail, Queen, Checkered Skipper, Empress Leilia, Dainty Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur and Fatal Metalmark. Read an interview with Ron Rutowski
From: Paul Wolterbeek (BTA staff)
Date : February 16, 2015
A Xami Hairstreak was seen near the "catwalk" section of the main trail, just past the Suspension Bridge over Queen Creek. Check out the photo posted on BTA's Facebook page
From: Jim Burns
Date:November 22, 2014
Who says November's too cold to be out looking for butterflies? Saturday at BTA we found more Queens and American Snouts than we could count - and those we could tally included 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Checkered White, 12 Clouded Sulphur, 20 Dainty Sulphur, 6 Mexican Yellow, 4 Marine Blue, 3 Reakirt's Blue, 1 Boisduval's Blue, 1 Fatal Metalmark, 2 Texan Crescent, 15 West Coast Lady, 8 Common Buckeye, 3 Monarch, and 1 Eufala Skipper.
From: Laura Miller
Date: September 27, 2014
We weren't sure we would have success when we drove through totally gray skies to the arboretum, since a big winter/monsoon storm was on its way. Luckily, just as we were gathering for the butterfly walk, the sun peeked through the clouds. As the morning went on, the skies got sunnier and it turned out to be a nice butterfly day after all. A couple hours after we concluded, the rains came down. There were numerous sleepy oranges, cloudless sulphurs, queens, and pipevine swallowtails. Also appearing were southern dogfaces, fatal metalmarks, empress leilias, California patches, giant swallowtails, marine blues, a couple of Arizona powdered skippers, American snouts, and eufala skippers. We also found a few fat pipevine swallowtail caterpillars eating the pipevine along the trail. Of special note were two monarchs: one was quite tattered; the other was a fresh-looking male, which was tagged by a volunteer from Southwest Monarch Study. Be on the lookout for a monarch with tag number AF096.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: August 23, 2014
Butterfly numbers are up, and the weather was perfect for our August guided walk -- we had about 20 participants, and all got good looks at Queens, Pipevine Swallowtails, Cloudless Sulphurs and Fatal Metalmarks, while checking out the Hummingbird-, Demonstration- and Children's Garden. Today's checklist: Pipevine Swallowtail and its stunning red-and-black caterpillars, Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Ceraunus Blue, W. Pygmy Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Elada Checkerspot, Empress Leilia, Queen, Sheep Skipper and our fall skipper: Eufala Skipper. I invite you to join me and other volunteers from the Central Arizona Butterfly Association for annual butterfly counts around AZ; similar to the Christmas Bird Count, the tally stretches across 15-miles of Pinal County and includes BTA, Superior, Oak Flats, Apache Tears Crossing and Picketpost Trailhead. Volunteers who are confident with butterfly IDs are most welcome. Visit http://www.cazba.org for dates and complete details .
From: AdrianeGrimaldi
Date: July 26, 2014
A great group of 13 people attended this Saturday's butterfly walk through the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden, the Children's Garden and Demonstration Garden. During the walk, we enjoyed observing how the Empress Leilia patrols for future mates near the Desert Hackberry shrub, the host plant for this species of butterfly. The males patrol and chase away others as they wait for the females to emerge. Saw many Queens nectaring on Wolfberry, Pipevines on Lantana and even saw a fresh male Monarch nectaring on Sunflowers. Other species included the Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Empress Leilia, American Snout, Marine Blue, a large Gulf Fritillary, large unidentified more whitish than yellow sulphur butterfly and a Hummingbird Sphinx Moth.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: June 28, 2014
In spite of the usual late June heat a keen-to-learn group of about 20 gathered for the Saturday morning butterfly walk on June 28. The group included Gail Morris of Southwest Monarch Studies, and Laura Miller, a member of the board of the Central Arizona Butterfly Association. Their help and input on the walk was greatly appreciated. During the walk we had the opportunity to inspect specimens (netted with special permission and, of course, released unharmed) of a male Queen and a male Pipevine Swallowtail. Looking up close at the warning coloration and body structure of these distasteful butterflies always reveals fascinating details that are at best difficult to see in rapid fl- bys and even when foraging at flowers. There many blooms being visited by many Queens on the Wolfberry in the Demonstration Garden. Here is our full list of species seen: Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Empress Leilia, American Snout, Marine Blue, and Funereal Duskywing. This is not a huge number but certainly typical of June, one of our hottest and driest months. Mark your calendar - July 26 the guide for this walk will be Adriane Grimaldi, education director at Butterfly Wonderland. Read an interview with Ron Rutowski
From: Laura Miller and Jan Harding
Date: May 24, 2014
What a great day to kick off the butterfly season at BTA! We had a group of 18 people who wandered the grounds in search of butterflies. It was a lovely cool morning -- at least by butterfly standards -- so sightings went up as the day warmed up. We had good looks at dozens of marine blues puddling in damp sand. Several queens, pipevine swallowtails, southern dogfaces, and cloudless sulphurs were warming up and nectaring on the flowers. The Children's Garden added a white checkered skipper. A couple of Empress Leilias "chased" us out of their territory. A lone American snout sat on a hackberry bush just out of range for us to get a good look. A few sneaky bugs showed up at the very end of the walk and were seen by a few of the folks: funereal duskywing, hackberry emperor, sleepy orange, dainty sulphur, and fatal metalmark. Mark your calendar for June 28 when ASU Professor Ron Rutowski leads the next guided butterfly walk.
From: Gail Morris and Laura Miller
Date: January 26, 2014
On Sunday (Jan. 26) Laura & I were at BTA and saw the following: 5 monarchs (including one tagged on 10/26/13 at BTA); 15+ queens, 25+ spring Azure, 12+ snouts, 8 pipevines, 5 mourning cloak, 5 Sara orangetips - and 1 Dainty sulphur.
From: Dave Powell
Date: October 26, 2013
The 'Season Finale' guided walk for 2013 attracted About 20 people as Gail Morris and I guided for the last butterfly walk of the season. A highlight was tagging four Monarchs, as Gail explained the process and had a couple of our participants help out. The walk started out with a surprise Bauer's Giant-Skipper sitting on the ground where we gathered to start the walk. This is just the second for BTA. The list was smaller than last month, but not bad for late October. Another surprise was a Mylitta Crescent, another first for BTA. Like the Giant-Skipper, this species is normally found higher up. Species seen: Pipevine Swallowtail - 10, Checkered White - 1, Sleepy Orange - 15, Orange Sulphur - 3, Cloudless Sulphur - 10, Souther Dogface - 2, Large Orange Sulphur - 1, Mexican Yellow - 4,Marine Blue - 1, Spring Azure (Echo Azure) - 6, Fatal Metalmark - 1, American Snout - 4, Variable Checkerspot - 1, Mylitta Crescent - 2, Painted Lady -1, Empress Leilia - 4, Red-spotted Purple - 1, Monarch - 5, Queen - 20, White Checkered - Skipper - 5, Orange Skipperling - 1, Eufala Skipper - 1.
From: Dave
Date: September 28, 2013
Today's butterfly walk attracted the largest group I have ever tried to lead. We started with about 25 people and just kept gaining and losing people as we proceeded on the walk. We ended up adding a religious group from Chandler with about 15 young people along with their leaders. This group was very interested and very appreciative. The butterflies were in somewhat short supply due to cool weather. We all got great looks at Queens, Pipevine Swallowtails, and a couple of Monarchs. We were able to catch and tag one Monarch (thanks Laura!). Empress Leilia showed us that butterflies can defend their territory as well as birds can. We had an extremely small Orange Skipperling sit still so that everyone could see it. In the children's garden we had a Hammock Skipper, which is an immigrant from Mexico and not often seen. The best butterfly of the day was seen after the end of the walk, when Laura Miller spotted and photographed a Bauer's Giant-Skipper, which had never before been seen at BTA.
Species seen: Pipevine Swallowtail - 20, Sleepy Orange - 8, Orange Sulphur - 2, Cloudless Sulphur - 5, Southern Dogface - 2, Dainty Sulphur - 1, Gray Hairstreak - 1,Reakirt's Blue - 1. Marine Blue - 2, American Snout - 2,Tiny Checkerspot - 1, Painted Lady - 1, Empress Leilia - 10, Monarch - 3, Queen - 35, White Checkered Skipper - 2, Hammock Skipper - 1, Orange Skipperling - 3, Eufala Skipper - 7. Seen after the end of the walk: Xami Hairstreak - 1, Bauer's Giant-Skipper - 1 .
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: August 24, 2013
Today's butterfly walk included spectacular weather and what must have been hundreds of butterflies - a good time was had by all. There were about 12 participants in the walk and everyone got to see Queens, Pipevine Swallowtails, and Cloudless Sulphurs up close and personal on the flowers in the Hummingbird and Demonstration Gardens. We also saw the usual Pipevine Swallowtail larvae and eggs and the Empress Leilia males put on their territorial show. The total number of species seen was not huge but was overshadowed by the huge number of individuals on the wing. Here's what we did see: Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Mexican Yellow, American Snout, Variegated Fritillary, Elada Checkerspot, Painted Lady, Empress Leilia, Queen, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Checkered Skipper - and one unidentified Skipper.
From:Marceline VandeWater
Date: July 27, 2013
We had seven people and found 10 different species of butterflies on this month's guided butterfly walk at the Arboretum -- including one large Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar which was ready to pupate; all the kids wanted to hold it and get photos! Species seen, in the order they appear on BTA's checklist, include Pipevine Swallowtail, Orange Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Elada Checkerspot, Empress Leilia, Queen, Funereal Duskywing. EDITOR'S NOTE: the next guided walk will be August 24 with ASU Professor Ron Rutowski.
From: Dave Powelland Marceline VandeWater
Date: June 22, 2013
More variety around the gardens today, such as the Large Orange Sulphurs, Giant Swallowtails and Gray Hairstreaks we found. Also on today's list were Common Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue, American Snout, Sleepy Orange, Pipevine Swallowtail (5 of these), Queen, Southern Dogface, Ceraunas Blue, Funereal Duskywing, Empress Leilia, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Texan Crescent, Reakirt's Blue, Fatal Metalmark, Spring Azure, Orange Skipperling, Acacia Skipper, Erichson's White-Skipper and Mexican Yellow. EDITOR'S NOTE: Marceline and Dave will return to guide this walk July 27.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: May 25, 2013
We were just short of 20 species today – a fine day, considering the large number of people on our guided walk. Our list includes: Pipevine Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Large Orange Sulphur, Dainty Sulphur, Reakirt's Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Western Pygmy Blue, American Snout, Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, Common Buckeye, Queen, Funereal Duskywing and Checkered Skipper.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: April 14, 2013
Helping lead today's guided bird walk I also had some reportable early season butterfly sightings to of interest including Red Admiral, Texan Crescent, Pipevine Swallowtail, American Snout, Queen, Spring Azure, Sleepy Orange, Two-tailed Swallowtail, California Patch, Dainty Sulphur, Giant Swallowtail, Painted Lady, Elada Checkerspot and Common Buckeye.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: August 25, 2012
Saturday morning was sunny, warm, and muggy for August's butterfly walk, just the sort of monsoon season day that butterflies like. However high expectations were not met as the number of species and individuals was not high at all. Nonetheless we got great closeup looks at some of the Queens foraging at sunflowers and the Pipevine Swallowtails foraging at verbena. Nine species that we saw: Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulphur (second most common species); Queen (the most abundant species with many on sunflowers and wolfberry); Pipevine Swallowtail, American Snout, Marine Blue, Sleepy Orange, Northern White Skipper, Empress Leilia. Unfortunately the last two were seen by the walk leader only after the formal part of the walk had ended. Regardless of the somewhat disappointing numbers the walk participants, especially the children, were observant and curious.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: July 28, 2012
Kids on the tour this morning -- and adults, too -- particularly enjoyed seeing colorful blue-black Pipevine Swallowtails, and also their bright red caterpillars which we found on their larval host plant - Watson's Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia watsonii). Saturday morning we also saw a Two-tailed Swallowtail - Arizona's 'official' state butterfly, and not often seen at the Arboretum. Other species around the gardens today were Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Mexican Yellow, Gray Hairstreak, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, Bordered Patch, Painted Lady, Empress Leilia, Queen, Erichson's White-Skipper, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Common Sootywing and Fiery Skipper. Don't miss the next butterfly walk August 25 guided by ASU Professor Ron Rutowski.
From: Dave Powell
Date: June 23, 2012
Sleepy Orange numbers are up; we counted at least 40 on this month's guided butterfly walk; 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 15 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Southern Dogface, 5 Dainty Sulphur, 20 Mexican Yellow, 1 Boisduval's Yellow, 6 Gray Hairstreak, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 3 Ceraunus Blue, 50 Marine Blue, 4 Fatal Metalmark, 10 Empress Leilia, 30 Queen, 1 Funereal Duskywing, 15 Northern White-skipper, 2 Erichson's White-Skipper, 3 Arizona Powdered-Skipper, 1 Orange Skipperling, 2 Fiery Skipper.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: May 26, 2012
An unseasonably cool and partly cloudy morning drew a big crowd out to the Arboretum for Saturday's butterfly walk: 55 adults and 9 children who set out from the Visitor Center. With such a large crowd it was great to have several folks show up who are well versed in the biology of butterflies including Gail Morris, Laura Parry, Brett Seymoure, and Marianne Jensen. Queens put on the best show of the day beginning with an individual that nicely landed and sat for some time on a mesquite tree as the group gathered at the Visitor Center. Group leaders love it when this happens! Even more impressive was the 15 to 20 Queens nectaring at the huge blooming Lysium bush in the Demonstration Garden, especially with the smattering of Pipevine Swallowtails joining them. All in all another fine day at BTA for looking at and learning about butterflies. Here is the list of what the group recorded seeing: Marine Blues were common, everywhere; other species present were Fatal Metalmark, Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Cloudless Sulphur, Checkered Skipper, Sleepy Orange, Empress Leilia, Hackberry Emperor, American Snout.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: April 28, 2012
A group of 25 adults and children spent about 90 minutes touring the Pipevine plants in the Australia Desert Exhibit, the Demonstration Garden, the Children's Garden and the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden. Although the morning was warm and sunny the number of species and their abundance was not high. In all we saw nine species with the highlights for each given below. Pipevine Swallowtail: Eggs and larvae were easy to find on the numerous Pipevine plants in the Australia Desert Exhibit. No more than 10 adults were seen flying quickly by in various areas. Snout Butterfly: About 15 were seen flying in an around Desert Hackberries. Western Pygmy Blue: About 10 were seen hanging around the big saltbush stand on the side of the picnic area away from Queen Creek. Marine Blue: We saw about 20 especially common in wet spots in the Demonstration
Garden. Queen: A couple were seen in various locations and one male caught and closely inspected in the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden. Cloudless Sulphur: Several were flying in various locations and we caught one male and closely inspected him at the Demonstration Garden meadow. Elada Checkerspot: Three or four were seen flying in and around Mexican Honeysuckle in the Demonstration Garden. Empress Leilia: We saw several males perched in their territories next to Desert Hackberries scattered around the Arboretum. Fatal Metalmark: One was on a flower in Desert Garden in the Demonstration Garden.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: April 8, 2012
Butterfly numbers and variety were up today. We saw Pipevine Swallowtail, Two-tailed Swallowtail, Mexican Yellow, Orange Sulphur, Queen, Monarch, Dainty Sulphur, Viceroy, American Snout, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulphur, Marine Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Empress Leilia, Gulf Fritillary, Tiny Checkerspot, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Duskywing with white fringe, Fiery Skipper and Variable Checkerspot. Editor's note: read about more walks - Marceline posts butterfly walks at other great places throughout Arizona at Central Arizona Butterfly Association (cazba.org)
From: Dave Powell
Date: September 10, 2011
Nice to have an enthusiastic group of 18 people for today's butterfly walk, and we had a decent showing of butterflies for visitors to see including 18 Pipevine Swallowtail, 12 Sleepy Orange, 8 Orange Sulphur, 15 Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Gray Hairstreak, 1 Leda Ministreak, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 1 Marine Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 6 American Snout, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Elada Checkerspot, 2 American Lady, 20 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 1 Common Buckeye, 4 Monarch, at least 50 Queen, 1 Northern Cloudywing, 1 Orange Skipperling, 1 Sheep Skipper, 12 Eufala Skipper and 1 Desert Checkered-Skipper. Also worth noting the two Vaux's Swifts we observed as they soared through a circling "kettle" of turkey vultures overhead while we were in the Demonstration Garden. Editor's Note: Adriane Grimaldi leads the 2011 season finale butterfly walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum on October 22.
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: September 10, 2011
Presumably because of the double freeze this winter and the extremely hot and dry summer, the butterfly numbers during the Central AZ Butterfly Association annual count today were way down from 2010. This is a trend we are seeing thoughout Arizona. Last year we found 44 species of butterflies on the Arboretum grounds on the count day (a new record!), while this year it yielded only half of that: 22 species. But we had fun nonetheless, partly because it was the first day with nice fall temperatures, and also because we had guests from Tucson and from England to help us with the count. Butterflies found included: Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Ceraunus Blue, Fatal Metalmark, Empress Leilia, Hackberry Emperor, American Snout, Queen, Elada Checkerspot, Arizona Powdered-Skipper, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Common Sootywing, Sheep Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Eufala Skipper, Fiery Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Erichson's White-Skipper and Desert Checkered-Skipper. Editor's Note: Dave Powell will lead a butterfly walk here on Sept. 24, and then Adriane Grimaldi leads the 2011 season finale butterfly walk on October 22.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: August 27, 2011
For the butterfly walk on 27 August 2011, the total number of species seen was a little low (10) but enthusiasm was high. Pipevine Swallowtails, Queens, and Cloudless Sulphurs were out in great numbers which permitted excellent opportunities for viewing and photography. The pipevine growing in areas between the Smith Center and the Drover's Shed was growing in abundance and sported quite a few eggs and larvae of the Pipevine Swallowtail. The group asked excellent questions and were eager to learn, a group leader's delight. Species found include Pipevine Swallowtail (dozens, including eggs and larvae on Pipevine); Sleepy Orange (4) ; Orange Sulphur (1); Cloudless Sulphur (dozens); Large Orange Sulphur (2) ; Marine Blue (1) ; Queen (dozen); American Snout (5-10) ; Empress Leilia (2) and Funereal Duskywing (1) .
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: August 16, 2011
Butterflies seen over the weekend included Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Marine Blue, Ceraunus Blue , Palmer's Metalmark , Gulf Fritillary , Empress Leilia , Hackberry Emperor , Queen , Tiny Checkerspot , Erichson's White-Skipper , Northern White-Skipper , Funereal Duskywing , Arizona Powdered-Skipper , Orange Skipperling , and Eufala Skipper . During the Central Arizona Butterfly Association's special "moth night" event the largest and most dramatic moths that were seen include the Big Poplar Sphinx, White-lined Sphinx, Five-spotted Sphinx and also Hubbard's Small Silkmoth .
From: John Saba
Date: June 25, 2011
Pipevine Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Orange Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Dainty Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Marine Blue, Western Pygmy-Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Queen, Texan Crescent, Hackberry Emperor, Empress Leilia, Funereal Duskywing, Common/White Checkered-Skipper, Erichson's White-Skipper, Northern White-Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Fiery Skipper.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: June 25, 2011
On June 26, 2010, Marceline VandeWater observed 18 species of butterflies while leading a walk for interested visitors. I thought it would be interesting to see what kinds were present today compared with those a year ago, so I observed in the Demonstration and Hummingbird Gardens for about an hour. Dozens of Marine and Ceraunus Blues with a few Common Hairstreaks were conspicuous. Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Orange Skipperling, and Common Checkered Skipper were quite common, but only a few Empress Leilia, Texan Crescent, Southern Dogface, American Snout, Erichson's Skipper, and Common Northern-Skipper were evident. I found single individuals of Hackberry Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur, Large Orange Sulfur, Dainty Sulfur, Fiery Skipper, Funereal Duskywing, and Orange-headed Scallopwing. John Saba found 23 species during the walk he led this morning, adding four species I didn't find (Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Orange Sulphur, and Western Pygmy-Blue) for a combined total of 26 species. We found all Marcelene's reported species except Gulf Fritillary and Leda Hairstreak.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: April 23, 2011
The number and diversity of butterflies found during Saturday's butterfly walk was disappointingly low, probably due to weather and the relatively dry spring. Today's checklist included Pipevine Swallowtail (10 or more adults; many larvae) Empress Leilia (2) Queen (3) Dainty Sulphur (1) Duskywing of unknown species (1) Checkered White (1) Spring Azure (1) Morning clouds kept the butterfly activity down. Most of the clouds had moved off by the time the walk ended but the numbers and diversity of active butterflies were still low although picking up. We were very happy to see ten or more larvae of the Pipevine Swallowtail on or near Pipevine plants in the area between the Smith Interpretive Center and the Drover's Wool Shed.
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2011
What a great turnout today for the first butterfly walk of 2011, we had 45 adults and 5 children! People outnumbered the butterflies for sure; here are the ones that we saw: more than 20 Pipevine Swallowtails, 1 Empress Leilia and 1 Marine Blue . Editor's note: on March 20 Steve and Joan Hosmer reported these additional species Sara Orangetip, Mourning Cloak, Dainty Sulphur, Common Buckeye, and Southern Dogface -- and back on March 13 Marceline Vandewater, who were leading a bird walk here that morning, reported Sara Orangetip, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Spring Azure, Reakirt's Blue, Common Buckeye, Empress Leilia, Mourning Cloak, and 1 Giant Swallowtail.
From: Marceline VandeWaterand Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Saturday, October 23, 2010
Activity in the gardens has slowed noticeably since the record-setting September counts (see below), but we tallied 17 species on a cool morning walking the trails -- and found a few larvae of Gulf Fritillary and also Queens, as well as adults. Our checklist today includes Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Cloudless Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Mexican Yellow, Texan Crescent, Painted Lady, West Coast Lady, American Snout, Empress Leilia, Monarch and Common Checkered Skipper.
From: Dave Powell
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010
It looks like we added one species, Desert Checkered-Skipper, to the BTA butterfly list on the September 11 CAZBA count that appears below today's repor -- and I added another today, White-patched Skipper. Today on the second-to-last of the monthly guided butterfly walks we tallied 37 species including Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Orange Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur, Boisduval's Yellow, Mexican Yellow, Sleepy Orange, Dainty Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Reakirt's Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Ceraunus Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Monarch, Queen, Gulf Fritillary, Bordered Patch, Elada Checkerspot, Arizona Sister, Empress Leilia, Hammock Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Funereal Duskywing, Common/White Checkered-Skipper, Northern White-Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Fiery Skipper, Sheep Skipper and also Eufala Skipper.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Editor's Note: Marceline Vandewater and Dave Powell spent almost one entire Saturday here September 11 leading the annual Central Arizona Butterfly Association count, the annual September census Arboretum-wide seeking all species and every individual they could find -- and setting a new record of 44 species tallied in a single day. Notable rarities included two Hammock Skippers and two Boisduval's Yellows. Species and numbers seen during the CAZBA count include 42 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Black Swallowtail, 1 Giant Swallowtail, 5 Checkered White, 6 Orange Sulphur , 5 Southern Dogface, 34 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Large Orange Sulphur, 2 Boisduval's Yellow, 3 Mexican Yellow, 104 Sleepy Orange, 6 Dainty Sulphur , 1 Great Purple Hairstreak, 4 Gray Hairstreak, 3 Leda Ministreak, 5 Marine Blue, 7 Spring Azure, 5 Ceraunus Blue, 4 Western Pygmy Blue, 4 Fatal Metalmark , 65 American Snout , 1 Monarch, 61 Queen, 2 Gulf Fritillary, 1 California Patch, 7 Elada Checkerspot, 1 Variable (Chalcedon) Checkerspot 1, 2 Common Buckeye, 1 Viceroy, 2 Hackberry Emperor, 17 Empress Leilia, 2 Hammock Skipper, 5 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 3 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 4 Mournful Duskywing, 4 Funereal Duskywing, 3 Common/White Checkered-Skipper, 1 Desert Checkered-Skipper, 3 Erichson's White-Skipper, 5 Common Sootywing, 6 Orange Skipperling, 5 Fiery Skipper, 2 Sheep Skipper and 4 Eufala Skipper. Editor's note: learn basic butterfly identification techniques and about the life cycles of these lovely insects Sept. 25 9:30 am on our guided butterfly walk with Dave Powell and Gail Morris - two guides in case we have a larger-than-usual crowd and need to divide into separate tours.
From: Marceline
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Paul Kinslow and I found 22 species around the gardens Tuesday including the first Golden-headed Scallopwing, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Northern White SKipper and Common Buckeye for 2010 at BTA. Others on our checklist were Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, Western Pygmy Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Gulf Fritillary, Elada Checkerspot, Empress Leilia, Queen, and Fiery Skipper. After lunch I checked out Devil's Canyon a few miles East of Superior and along Highway 60; the creek was dry -- and it was hot and misserable -- but we added Two-tailed Swallowtail, Arizona Sister and Common Streaky-Skipper. Editor's note: read about more walks - Marceline posts butterfly walks at other great places throughout Arizona at Central Arizona Butterfly Association (cazba.org)
From: Marceline
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Biggest surprise today was the large number of Leda Ministreaks, more than 40 in one section of the gardens alone, and a single Gulf Fritillary which was found after the walk was over, moving from plant-to-plant near the flagpole at the entrance to the Arboretum visitor center. Also seen today were Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, American Snout, Texan Crescent, (again, many of these!); Empress Leilia, Hackberry Emperor, Queen, Funereal Duskywing and Fiery Skipper. Visit the website for the Central Arizona Butterfly Association (cazba.org) to read about butterfly walks in other great places around Arizona this summer, and don't miss the Arboretum's next guided walk on July 24 with Dave Powell as the tour guide.
From: Ron
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010
We found a Soapberry Hairstreak on the guided butterfly walk today; with about 20 people in our group -- including several from the Central Arizona Butterfly Association (cazba.org) . Look for this "nickel-sized" butterfly on the soapberry tree inside the curved road which exits the picnic area parking lot. Other butterflies seen today were 6 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Sleepy Orange, 1 Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 6 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Reakirt's Blue, 12 Marine Blue, 1 Mormon Metalmark, Western Pygmy Blue, 8 American Snout, 6 Elada Checkerspot, 1 Texan Crescent, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Mourning Cloak, 4 Queen and 1 Mournful Duskywing.
From: Ron
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday there were at least 13 Pipevine Swallowtails, 3 Empress Leilias, 2 Marine Blues and 2 Queens; one Dainty Sulphur and one Painted Lady around the gardens. I suspect we were there a bit early (8:00 to 10:00 AM) for butterfly activity to have peaked, so I am hopeful for a larger number of species this coming Saturday for our guided walk starting at 9:30. I noticed that CAzBA also has a trip to BTA scheduled this weekend.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: November 10, 2009
Paul Kinslow and I found a total of 42 species of birds and 16 species of butterflies -- not bad for a day in November! Butterflies included Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, American Snout, Southern Dogface, Orange Sulphur, Western Pygmy Blue, Common Buckeye, Common Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue, Mormon Metalmark, Monarch, Ceraunus Blue and Mexican Yellow.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Tuesday September 15
Saturday, September 12, volunteers with the Central Arizona Butterfly Association (cazba.org) met at BTA for our third annual butterfly count. Sites visited included BTA, Picketpost Trailhead, town of Superior, Apache Tears Road water crossing, Oak Flats, Devil's Canyon, and Haunted Canyon. In total we found 30 species and 144 individuals (which compares with 45 and 488 in 2008, and 31/321 in 2007). Counters agreed that this year's non-exisistent monsoon season, is the most likely explanation for the low numbers. Conditions are very dry with very little nectar available (however, there was plenty of nectar at Edwardo's Pizza in Superior and all counters had their fill!) Thanks to everyone who participated. Numbers and species found include 30 Pipevine Swallowtail, 5 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 1 Orange Sulphur, 2 Southern Dogface, 14 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 1 Western Pygmy Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 4 Mormon Metalmark, 4 Palmer's Metalmark, 2 Painted Lady, 4 Arizona Sister, 4 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 1 Common Buckeye, 1 Red-spotted Purple, 7 Monarch (and 5 caterpillars); 23 Queen, 4 Meridian Duskywing, 1 Acacia Skipper, 5 Common Sootywing, 1 Common Streaky Skipper, 2 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 1 Common/WHite Checkered SKipper, 8 Orange Skipperling, 3 *Tropical Least Skipper (new species for the count!); 1 Fiery SKipper, 4 Eufala Skipper and 6 Arizona Giant Skipper! Visit CAZBA.org to read about butterfly walks
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Tuesday August 25
Butterflies were few and far between on August 25 but in addition to some of the more common species reported Saturday by Ron Rutowksi, sightings today included one Sleepy Orange which was nectaring on Aster flowers at Silver King Wash, two Acacia Skippers, one Monarch in the Demonstration Garden and one Orange Skipperling, which was also in the Demo Garden. And while its no butterfly, a Gila Monster waddling around near the bridge over Silver King Wash was a special treat today! Join us for the annual CAZBA.org butterfly count at BTA on September 12!
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: Saturday, August 22
It was drizzling when I arrived Saturday, but stopped before the walk and the sky cleared as an eager group of about 10 or so trundled along through the Demonstration Garden and over to the Children's Garden. We went for almost the full two hours. We saw only a few species again but got really good and protracted looks at what we did see. This gave good opportunities to discuss the biology of the various species. Sightings included: Painted Lady - several on lantana in both gardens; Queen - many throughout, and on lantana and acacia blossoms; Pipevine Swallowtail - some throughout, especially on lantana; larvae and eggs on Pipevine near Smith Center; Arizona Powdered Skipper - one near Aussie shearer's shack; Tailed Orange - one female, summer form in Demonstration Garden; Southern Dogface - one in Children's Garden; Cloudless Sulphur - many throughout; Empress Leilia - one perched male near shack. As a couple of weeks ago when I guided the August 2 walk, blues and hairstreaks were notably absent, even on the (white ball?) acacia blossoms we saw. I expect to be at the Arboretum again in a few weeks for the September 12 CAZBA annual butterfly count.
From: Ron
Date: Sunday, August 2
Not a huge number but more than I had thought we might see. Here is the species list from Sunday's walk: Empress Leilia, HackBerry Emperor, American Snout, Clouded Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Queen, Pipevine Swallowtail, Northern Duskywing and Northern White Skipper. Join me for BTA's next guided butterfly walk August 22 (a Saturday) at 9:30 a.m.
From: Marceline
Date: Saturday, June 25
In addition to numerous Pipevine Swallowtails we also found a Black Swallowtail caterpillar on fennel Saturday morning during the once-a-month butterfly walk. Others species seen today around the gardens included: Giant Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Southern Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Reakirt's Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, Fatal Metalmark, Variegated Fritillary, Gulf Fritillary, Texan Crescent, Empress Lelia, Common Buckeye, Queen, Funereal Duskywing, Northern White Skipper, Erichson's White Skipper, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Common Checkered Skipper and Orange Skipperling. BTA's next guided butterfly walks are July 25, Saturday, at 9:30 a.m. and then August 2 -- a "Sunday Special."
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Monday, May 11
Saturday morning started rainy and cool but by about 10:30 a.m. it stopped raining, the sun came out, we walked around the Demonstration Garden and saw 11 different species timing was good as the butterflies were easily seen sunning themselves. Species seen today included: Spring Azure, Pipevine Swallowtail, Ceraunus Blue, Dainty Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Empress Lelia, Queen, Texas Crescent, Bordered Patch, Checkered White, and Fatal Metalmark. Make sure to join us for the next guided butterfly walk here at the Arboretum on June 27, Saturday, at 9:30 a.m.
From: Lacey Pacheco (Arboretum staff)
Date: Monday, May 11
This entry combines two reports from school trip checklists compiled on separate butterfly walks that I lead today and also last Thursday. Species Monday, May 11, were 4 Pipevine Swallowtail, 3 Sleepy Orange, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 4 Southern Dogface, 6 Spring Azure, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Empress Leilia and 6 Queen. And last Thursday, May 7, butterfly field trip participants and I found 2 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Sleepy Orange, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 10 Spring Azure, 1 American Snout, 1 Bordered Patch, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Empress Leilia, 2 Common Buckeye, and 1 Queen.
From: Ron Rutowski
Date: Sunday, May 3
6+Giant Swallowtail, 6 + Pipevine Swallowtail (found eggs but no larvae on Pipevine plant near Smith Center); 4 Orange Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur, 2 Sleepy Orange, 4 Dainty Sulphur (see ovipositing on composites in Demo Garden); 2
Southern Dogface, 3 Checkered White, 6 American Snout (many flying about in Desert Hackberry, their larval foodplant); 4 Buckeye, 2 Empress Leilia (wonderfully territorial male in front of Smith Center); Red-spotted Admiral, Texan Crescent (on wet ground near leaky hose just outside the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden); 3 Queen, Marine Blue (many of them on the same wet ground near the leaky hose); Checkered-Skipper, probably Common
From: Dave Powell
Date: April 25, Saturday
Found a Viceroy on the guided butterfly walk April 25 (my first for BTA), along with 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, Dainty Sulphur, 2 Sleepy Orange, 4 Southern Dogface, Checkered White, Gray Hairstreak, 2 Marine Blue, 4 Spring Azure, Acmon Blue, American Snout, 3 Queen, 8 Empress Leilia, Painted Lady, 5 Common Buckeye, 3 Texan Crescent, 2 Golden-headed Scallopwing, White Checkered-Skipper and Orange Skipperling.
From: Jim Brock
Date: Monday, March 30
My friends and I went to the Arboretum yesterday and had a female Question Mark attempting to lay eggs on the fruits of an old Netleaf Hackberry near the Suspension Bridge on the way to the High Trail! This might be new for the Arboretum? I hear from Richard Bailowitz that the Question Mark is a Pinal County record! To remember the exact Celtis I would have to be there. I recall it being on the way back towards the entrance but not far from the suspension bridge. It is an old tree and finding caterpillars would best be done with a ladder. Also seen: Tiny Checkerspot, California Patch (1), Southern Dogface, Fatal Metalmark, Variable Checkerspot, Tropical Buckeye, Common Buckeye, Marine Blue, Question Mark (one female oviposting on a Hackberry tree), Red Admiral, Spring Azure, Acmon/Lupine Blue, Two-tailed Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, Queen, Sara Orangetip.
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, March 28
Nice day for finding butterflies, and we had a large crowd of 43 people attending this "first of the season" butterfly walk for 2009. We found 31 species, too. including: 22 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Giant Swallowtail, 3 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 6 Checkered White, 2 Sara Orangetip, 6 Sleepy Orange, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Southern Dogface, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 3 Marine Blue, 14 Spring Azure, 2 Western Pygmy Blue, 3 Fatal Metalmark, 10 American Snout, 3 Tiny Checkerspot, 2 Elada Checkerspot, 2 Variable Checkerspot, 2 California Patch, 3 Bordered Patch, , 4 Texas Crescent, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Painted Lady, 8 Empress Leilia, 12 Common Buckeye, 1 Monarch, 4 Queen, 2 Erichson's White Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 2 Common Checkered Skipper, and 3 Orange Skipperling. Don't miss the next butterfly walk -- April 25 guided by Dave Powell.
From: Marceline
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2009
An afternoon visit to the arboretum on this relatively warm day (71 degrees) produced a nice little list to start 2009 off with, including 2 Sara's Orangetip, 5 Sleepy Orange, 2 Cloudless Sulphur, 8 Southern Dogface, 5 Mexican Yellow, 12 Spring Azure, 45 Snout, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Mourning Cloak. 1 Common Buckeye, 3 Monarch (one of them with a blue wing-tag!) and 6 Queen.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Saturday, September 13
A BIG THANK YOU to all of those who helped with Second Annual BTA Butterfly Count on September 13th. Saturday we found a total of 45 species and 488 individuals, which compares with our 2007 totals of 31 species and 321 individuals. Species included Pipevine Swallowtail, Two-tailed Swallowtail, Checkered White, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Large Orange Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Mexican Yellow, Lyside Sulphur, Dainty Sulphur, Ceraunus Blue, Reakirt's Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Western Pygmy Blue, Xami Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, Fatal Metalmark, Palmer's Metalmark, Mormon Metalmark, American Snout, Tiny Checkerspot, Elada Checkerspot, Painted Lady, Bordered Patch, Texan Crescent, Empress Leilia, Hackberry Emperor, Common Buckeye, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy, Queen, Monarch, Funereal Duskywing, Common/White Checkered Skipper, Erichson's White Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Orange Skipperling, Eufala Skipper, Sheep
Skipper, Arizona Giant Skipper.
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Tuesday, August 26
This butterfly list contains a whopping 36 species for BTA, despite the slow start on a cloudy morning. Couldnt "re-find" the California Patch in the Demonstration Garden, though. After lunch I added Viceroy and Hackberry Emperor at the Apache Tears Creek crossing (outside the gardens and east of the Arboretum, about a half-mile farther up Queen Creek) but there was just too much water and mud in Queen Creek to hike from there back to the BTA -- plus a serious storm was rolling in. Will tackle that canyon next time! We saw 42 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Black Swallowtail 1 (near the Visitor Center); Two-tailed Swallowtail (Queen Creek Canyon); 2 Checkered White, 3 Orange Sulphur, 4 Southern Dogface, 36 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Mexican Yellow (Children's Garden); 45 Sleepy Orange, 6 Dainty Sulphur, 4 Xami Hairstreak, 5 Gray Hairstreak, 2 Marine Blue, 8 Reakirts Blue (check the Children's Garden); 16 Western Pygmy-Blue (again, the Children's Garden and also the flat white bridge over Silver King Wash); 3 Fatal Metalmark (Queen Creek Canyon, Children's Garden); 8 Mormon Metalmark, 5 American Snout, 1 Gulf Fritillary (Demonstration Garden); 2 Bordered Patch, 4 Elada Checkerspot, 3 Painted Lady, 2 Common Buckeye, 16 Empress Leilia, 25 Queen, 3 Common Checkered Skipper (Children's Garden); 1 Northern Cloudywing, 2 Arizona Powdered Skipper, Funereal Duskywing (Children's Garden); 4 Golden-headed Scallopwing (Herb Garden); 3 Common Sootywing, 5 Orange Skipperling, 6 Sheep Skipper, 2 Acacia Skipper, 2 Fiery Skipper, 5 Eufala Skipper and also 3 White-lined Sphynxmoth. PS: Join us for the Second Annual BTA Butterfly Count on September 13th!
From: Dave Powell and Kurt Radamaker
Date: Sunday, August 24
Kurt Radamaker and I visited Sunday morning to look for the Xami Hairstreaks reported last Tuesday by Marceline VandeWater. We were successful in finding 4 and photographing 1 of these delightful creatures. The arboretum was alive with butterflies, and we had a total of 31 species including 30+ Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Orange Sulphur, 10+ Southern Dogface, 50+ Cloudless Sulphur, 25+ Sleepy Orange, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 5 Fatal Metalmark, 10 Mormon Metalmark, 4 Xami Hairstreak, 3 Gray Hairstreak, 4 Ceraunus Blue, Reakirt's Blue, 5 American Snout, California Patch, Bordered Patch, Tiny Checkerspot, 8 Elada Checkerspot, Common Buckeye, Arizona Red-spotted Purple, 20+ Empress Leilia, 20+ Queen, Acacia Skipper, 6 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 6 Arizona Powdered-Skipper, White Checkered-Skipper, 2 Northern White-Skipper, 2 Common Sootywing, 8 Orange Skipperling, 2 Fiery Skipper, 3 Sheep Skipper and Eufala Skipper. Good lepping! Dave
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Tuesday, August 19
I spent my day off at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum; wanted to see what is flying right now in preparation of the Second Annual BTA Butterfly Count at the Arboretum, which will be September 13. It was warm and muggy, with temperatures between 85 and 100 degrees. There where lots of butterflies to admire, but the highlight was definitely a small colony of Xami Hairstreaks. Found a total of 29 species including 41 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Orange Sulphur, 7 Southern Dogface, 95 Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Mexican Yellow, 34 Sleepy Orange, 6 Dainty Sulphur, 6 Xami Hairstreak, 4 Leda Ministreak, 3 Gray Hairstreak, 12 Western Pygmy-Blue, 6 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 6 Mormon Metalmark, 1 California Patch, 11 American Snout, 4 Elada Checkerspot, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Common Buckeye, 24 Empress Leilia, 44 Queen, 10 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 3 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Erichsons White Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 8 Common Sootywing, 3 Orange Skipperling, 2 Sheep Skipper, 3 Eufala Skipper also 4 White-lined Sphynxmoth. Join us for the Second Annual BTA Butterfly Count on September 13th!
From: Dave Powell
Date: Sunday August 3
Queen Butterflies were most numerous this morning (80 of them!) followed by 50 Sleepy Orange, 20 each of Cloudless Sulphur and Pipevine Swallowtail, and 15 Southern Dogface. The mix of clouds and sun reduced butterfly activity, and there were a total of 22 species, with 217 individual butterflies seen including Two-tailed Swallowtail, Checkered White, 2 Orange Sulphur, 3 Dainty Sulphur, Leda Ministreak, 2 Ceraunus Blue, Marine Blue, 2 American Snout, 3 Texan Crescent, 8 Empress Leilia, Funereal Duskywing, 2 Northern White Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Orange Skipperling and Fiery Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: July 19
In preparation for the Saturday butterfly walk, led by yours truly, took a two hour walk today. Overall, a nice variety of bugs with one special bug in particular: today marked only the second time I have observed the 'Siva' Juniper Hairstreak at BTA in the past five years. It was at the east end of the High Trail near the suspension bridge. And this has been an especially good summer for Golden-headed Scallopwing; normally I see maybe two or three a summer -- this year I'm seeing them regularly. 26 species (174 individuals) include 9 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Sleepy Orange, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 2 Large Orange Sulphur, 2 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Mexican Yellow, 2 *'Siva' Juniper Hairstreak, 2 Gray Hairstreak, 6 Leda Ministreak, 2 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Marine Blue, 4 Fatal Metalmark, Tiny Checkerspot, Elada Checkerspot, Texan Crescent, 23 Empress Leilia, 8 Common Buckeye, 85 Queen 85 (most likely an underestimate); 2 Funereal Duskywing, 2 Acacia Skipper, 2 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 5 **Golden-headed Scallopwing, Common/White Checkered Skipper and Orange Skipperling.Notably absent today were Giant Swallowtail, Reakirt's Blue, Fiery Skipper, Eufala Skipper. I think this is the first walk this year that I have not seen Giant Swallowtail and Reakirt's Blue. Normally this time of year we have ample supply of Fiery and Eufala Skippers. Saw one Fiery last week and have yet to see a Eufala.
From: Chris Kline
Date: June 21 (Saturday)
Woo doggie! It was hotter than a _____ (complete with your own metaphor) out there! Took a trip around the grounds this morning in preparation for next Saturday's butterfly walk (9:30 a.m. on the 28th). The list below covers the demonstration garden, children's garden and out to the herb garden from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. Weather started calm, ended with light breeze. started at 98 degrees, ended at 107. Sunny! Found 20 species, 171 individuals...including 19 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Giant Swallowtail, 7 Checkered White, 21 Sleepy Orange, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 12 Southern Dogface, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Leda Ministreak, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 24 Marine Blue, 1 Fatal Metalmark, 10 American Snout,4 Texan Crescent, 13 Empress Leilia,3 Common Buckeye, 39 Queen, 5 Golden-headed Scallopwing,2 Common/White Checkered Skipper and 2 Orange Skipperling. Also saw a Filigree Skimmer in the demonstration garden and a gila monster! No snakes :( Come join us for next week's bfly walk!
From: Marceline
Date: Saturday, May 24
Temperatures ranged from 65-75 degrees on an unusually cool and overcast morning -- one that was great for walking the trails, but not as productive for seeing butterflies. We still managed to find 16 species including 15 Pipevine Swallowtail, 8 Checkered White, 3 Sleepy Orange, 3 Southern Dogface, 2 Dainty Sulphur, 20 Marine Blue, 1 Spring Azure, 8 Western Pygmy Blue, 8 American Snout, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 3 Elada Checkerspot, 3 Empress Leilia, 2 Common Buckeye, 7 Queen, 3 Golden-headed Scallopwing and 1 Orange Skipperling.
From: Jim Brock
Date: May 4, Sunday
(As reported by participant Marceline VandeWater) It was awesome to have Jim Brock lead the butterfly walk today. He shared a lot of information on different butterfly behavior, their host plants and flight patterns. We saw Pipevine Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Checkered White, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Southern Dogface, Dainty Sulphur, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Marine Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Spring Azure, Western Pygmy Blue, Palmer's Metalmark, Tiny Checkerspot, Elada Checkerspot, Painted Lady, Common Buckeye, Empress Leilia, American Snout, Queen, Common Sootywing, Funereal Duskywing, Northern White Skipper, Orange Skipperling. 26 species in total.
From: Dave Powell
Date: April 26 (Saturday)
We found 24 different species on this month's guided butterfly walk, most numerous of all were American Snout and Western Pygmy Blue (we counted 20 of each) followed by 15 Dainty Sulphur and 10 Checkered White. Species seen (in Arboretum checklist order) include 5 Pipevine, 2 Giant Swallowtail, 8 Sleepy Orange, 3 Orange Sulphur, 2 Cloudless Sulphur, 5 Southern Dogface, 3 Marine Blue, 5 Martin's Blue, 1 Mormon Metalmark, 3 Tiny Checkerspot, 6 Elada Checkerspot, 2 Variable Checkerspot, 1 California Patch, 3 Texas Crescent, 1 Red Admiral, 10 Hackberry Emperor, 6 Common Buckeye, 4 Queen, 1 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 4 Orange Skipperling.
From: chris kline
Date: April 1 (Tuesday)
Just made a quick trip around our main trail. Several things flying, but conspicuously absent was Two-tailed Swallowtail -- which I've been seeing regularly for the past week, until today of course. Totalled 12 species (47 individuals) with 13 Pipevine Swallowtail, 3 Sleepy Orange, 2 Western Pygmy Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 2 Variable Checkerspot, 15 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Mourning Cloak, 2 Common Streaky Skipper, 1 Common/White Checkered Skipper, 1 Orange Skipperling.
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: October 27 (Saturday)
We had about 15 people and we started down the trail a little bit later than usual because of the closure of sections of Highway 60. Late October is definitely the end of Butterfly season -- Pipevine Swallowtails and Queens were tattered, dingy-looking -- and fewer than we found duirng September's walk (which you can read below). Our end-of-the-season tally Saturday found 20 Pipevine Swallowtails, 25 Queen, 3 Emperoris Lelia, 1 Monarch, 1 Funearal Dustywing, 4 American Snout, 3 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Painted Lady, 15 Cloudless Sulfur and 4 Southern Dogface.
From: Dennis Walker
Date: Friday, September 28
The Arboretum was fantastic this past Tuesday (Sept. 25). I had a great time and got some great photos. The White-patched Skipper I saw (not a great photo but OK for ID) was confirmed as a county record by Jim Brock and Ken Davenport. I enjoyed my visit - hope to return soon. I just finished the list for that day: 29 species including Arizona Powdered-Skipper, White Checkered-Skipper, Eufala Skipper, Acacia Skipper, Orange Skipperling, Fiery Skipper, richson's White-Skipper, Golden-headed Scallopwing, Funereal Duskywing, White-patched Skipper, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Mexican Yellow, Gray Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Ceraunus Blue, Mormon Metalmark, Arizona Metalmark, Palmer's Metalmark, American Snout, Bordered Patch, Queen, Empress Leilia, Painted Lady, Gulf Fritillary, Elada Checkerspot, Tiny Checkerspot.
From: Adriane Grimaldi and Marceline
Date: Saturday, September 22
Here's what we saw on the guided Butterfly Walk Sept. 22. Two Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar were seen in addition to these, and many Queen caterpillars were on Pineleaf Milkweed. We divided our group in two, and here are separate lists: (Adriane's list) 40 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Two-Tailed Swallowtail, 1 Monarch, 25 Queen, 25 Cloudless Sulphur, 12 Southern Dogface, 7 Sleepy Orange, 4 Mexican Yellows, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 4 Marine Blue, 2 Ceraunus Blue, 1 Gulf Fritillary, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 2 Bordered Patch, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Palmer's Metalmark, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Funereal Duskywing, 2 Mournful Duskywing, 1 Orange Skipperling, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 3 Common Checkered Skipper, 5 Fiery Skipper, 5 Empress Leilia and 3 Arizona Powdered-Skipper.
Marceline & Paul Kinslow's list: 24 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 1 Checkered White, 14 Sleepy Orange, 6 Southern Dogface, 35 Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Mexican Yellow, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 1 Great Purple Hairstreak, 3 Marine Blue, 2 Ceraunus Blue, 8 American Snout, 1 Monarch, 10 Queen, 1 Gulf Fritillary, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 2 Bordered Patch, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Mormon Metalmark, 1 Palmer's Metalmark, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Texan Crescent, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Funereal Duskywing, 2 Mournful Duskywing, 2 Orange Skipperling, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 3 Common Checkered Skipper, 4 Fiery Skipper, 6 Empress Leilia, 3 Eufala Skipper, 3 Arizona Powdered-Skipper 3
From: Chris Kline
Date: Thursday, September 20
We had our first ever BioBlitz on Saturday September 15. Rich Bailowitz and Doug Danforth were kind enough to come up to do the butterfly and dragonfly survey. Below are the results for butterflies counted: 170 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Black Swallowtail, 2 Orange Sulphur, 133 Sleepy Orange, 150 Southern Dogface, 100 Cloudless Sulphur, 5 Mexican Yellow, 1 Tailed Orange (this was exciting -- a new addition to BTA checklist!); 6 Marine Blue, 5 Ceraunus Blue 5, 2 Western Pygmy Blue, 3 Gray Hairstreak, 3 Leda Ministreak, 4 Fatal Metalmark, 2 Mormon Metalmark, 1 Palmer's Metalmark, 2 Elada Checkerspot, 2 Variable Checkerspot, 25 American Snout, 20 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 2 Gulf Fritillary, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Red Spotted Purple, 66 Queen, 8 Orange-headed Scallopwing, 15 Orange Skipperling, 10 Acacia Skipper, 5 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 3 Checkered Skipper, 1 Common Sootywing, 2 Erickson's White Skipper, 50 Eufala Skipper and 1 Fiery Skipper. We found a total of 36 species and 808 individuals -- John Saba's record of 38 species remains intact!
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Sunday, Sept. 3
Sunday was an excellent day for butterflies! I didnt spend as much time looking for them as I wanted, because I was following Mr. Holycross and Mr Brennan around on their herp walk. I have to admit that that was very informative and interesting too:). My list for the day (Demonstration Garden, Picnic Area and Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden) has 31 species including: 4 Black Swallowtail, 52 Pipevine Swallowtail, 24 Sleepy Orange, 63 Cloudless Sulphur, 4 Southern Dogface, 1 Leda Ministreak, 3 Reakirts Blue, 4 Ceraunus Blue, 4 Marine Blue,2 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Mormon Metalmark, 2 Palmers Metalmark, 190 American Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 1 Gulf Fritillary,3 Tiny Checkerspot, 5 Elada Checkerspot, 8 Painted Lady, 5 Empress Leilia, 1 Monarch, 18 Queen, 2 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Northern White Skipper, 1 Acacia Skipper , 1 Nothern Cloudywing, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 2 Common Sootywing, 2 Common Checkered Skipper, 3 Orange Skipperling, 1 Sheep Skipper and 4 Eufala Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: August 28, Tuesday
On our butterfly walk this past Saturday we had 14 human participants, but butterfly numbers were down. Overcast skies. However, the lightning and rain stayed away for the most part. Interesting the difference a few miles can make here in AZ. At my house in Kearny, 22 miles south of the Arboretum, two hours of constant lightning early Saturday morning and about a half-inch of rain. The entire town was without power for several hours. Breakers on power poles popping were left and right. The Arboretum, however, was relatively high and dry. An entire .01" of precipitation. Well, anyways, to the bugs! We had Pipevine Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, Bordered Patch, Queen, Funereal Duskywing and Fiery Skipper. I went back out later in the afternoon when the sun came out and added Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Tiny Checkerspot, Elada Checkerspot, Painted Lady, Empress Leilia, Monarch, Orange Skipperling. Came in this morning (Tuesday) and added Giant Swallowtail and Sheep Skipper. Its all in the timing I s'pose!
From: Chris Kline
Date: August 28, Tuesday
Here are the official Boyce Thompson Arboretum/CABA count results! We had 13 folks show up for a hot (its a dry heat, right) day of butterfly counting here at BTA. We divided into three teams, with one team each visiting the Picketpost Trailhead of the Arizona Trail, the Arboretum, the town of Superior and sections of Queen Creek in town, and also Oak Flats six miles East of the Arboretum. I am listing the day's results for each of the four sites and then the total for the count. BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM: 22 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 11 Sleepy Orange, 2 Orange Sulphur, 68 Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 3 American Snout, 1 Gulf Fritillary, 4 Tiny Checkerspot, 5 Elada Checkerspot, 2 California Patch, 11 Empress Leilia, 1 Mourning Cloak, 6 Queen, 2 Funereal Duskywing, 4 Common Sootywing, 1 Acacia Skipper, 1 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 2 Common Streaky Skipper, 1 Orange Skipperling, 1 Eufala Skipper. We had a total of 22 species, 154 individuals. OAK FLATS: 4 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 2 Sleepy Orange, 2 Orange Sulphur, 15 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Marine Blue, 1 Western Pygmy Blue, 1 American Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 1 West Coast Lady, 1 Monarch, 2 Queen, 1 Duskywing sp., 2 Common Sootywing, 8 Acacia Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 1 Fiery Skipper, 1 Eufala Skipper; 18 species, 50 individuals. ARIZONA TRAIL @ PICKETPOST TRAILHEAD: 7 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Sleepy Orange, 13 Cloudless Sulphur, 12 American Snout, 14 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 2 Queen, 1 Common Sootywing -- 8 species, 54 individuals. TOWN OF SUPERIOR: 7 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 7 Sleepy Orange, 4 Orange Sulphur, 24 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Western Pygmy Blue, 5 American Snout, 1 Painted Lady, 10 Empress Leilia, 2 Queen, 1 Common Sootywing 1 -- 11 species, 63 individuals. TOTAL FOR BTA/CABA COUNT: 40 Pipevine Swallowtail, 7 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 24 Sleepy Orange, 8 Orange Sulphur, 120 Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface 3, 2 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Marine Blue, 2 Western Pygmy Blue, 21 American Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 1 Gulf Fritillary, 4 Tiny Checkerspot, 5 Elada Checkerspot, 2 California Patch, 1 Painted Lady, 1 West Coast Lady, 35 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 1 Mourning Cloak, 1 Monarch, 12 Queen, 2 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Duskywing sp., 8 Common Sootywing, 9 Acacia Skipper, 1 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 2 Common Streaky Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 1 Orange Skipperling, 1 Fiery Skipper, 2 Eufala Skipper -- 31 species, 321 individuals. And FYI, the mysterious dragonfly we caught appears to be a Straw-colored Sylph.
From: Dave Powell
Date: August 5, Sunday
A few surprises on our guided butterfly walk Sunday morning included a Bordered Patch which held to its perch, allowing photographers in our group some great closeups, and also a territorial Empress Leilia guarding a spot in the road just below the rolling gate to the Picnic Area. We also found 4 Common Sootywings and 1 Common Streaky Skipper. Butterflies seen (in numerical order from highest to lowest) included 40 Cloudless Sulphur, 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 15 Elada Checkerspot, 12 Queen, 10 Tiny Checkerspot, 6 Empress Leilia, 3 Sleepy Orange,2 Two-tailed Swallowtail and 1 Orange Sulphur.
From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Dave Powell
Date: July 28 (Saturday)
Heat, gray skies and high humidity may have resulted in a slower-than-usual morning for finding butterflies but we had great participation (18 adults and 10 kids) on the butterfly walk July 28 and a few surprises -- including our one Monarch of the day, which was observed at the south end of the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Other types seen on our walk included Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Sleepy Orange, Acacia Skipper, Marine Blue, Funereal Duskywing, Pipevine Swallowtail and Queen.
From: chris kline
Date: Sat, 16 Jun
Here is a list from my two hour walk this morning. Next Saturday we will have a butterfly walk from 9:30 AM til whenever ('til we are too hot to go any further!). Kurt Radamaker will be leading. Today's route included the Demonstration Garden, Rose Garden, Herb Garden and Main Trail as far as the suspension bridge over Queen Creek. Time was from 8:45 - 11:00 AM., with a starting temperature of 93 degrees and finishing temperature of 98 degrees Sunny and calm. Species seen include 17 Pipevine Swallowtail, 19 Sleepy Orange, 1 Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Leda Ministreak, 2 Reakirt's Blue, 12 Ceraunus Blue, 31 Marine Blue, 9 Fatal Metalmark, 1 American Snout, 4 Empress Leilia, 1 Common Buckeye, 37 Queen, 5 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Mournful Duskywing, 7 Acacia Skipper, 8 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 10 Common/White Checkered Skipper, 16 Orange Skipperling, 2 Fiery Skipper, 1 Eufala Skipper. In total there were 23 species and 193 individuals. Species that we've been seeing lately that are conspicuously absent from this list include: Gray Hairstreak, Western Pygmy Blue. While we have LOTS of nectar, the plants that seem to be attracting the most leps currently are Mexican Hat, Vitex (Pepper Tree, but the blooms are fading fast), and Melaleuca. Final note: In my four plus years here at BTA, we currently have more Acacia and Arizona Powdered Skippers than I have ever seen at one-time. Normally we may have 3-4 sightings a year of each of these two.
From: Chris Kline & Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Saturday, May 26, 2007
We had a great butterfly walk today. More butterflies than people, and we had 53 people -- so good stuff! We counted 28 species (195 individuals), and the Silver-banded Hairstreak was a new addition to the Arboretum's butterfly checklist. Nectar sources are plentiful. The Mexican Hat flowers and Vitex (Pepper Tree) were especially strong attractants. I covered the Demonstration Garden and the Main Trail from the Eucalyptus Forest to the suspension bridge on a Saturday that was sunny, calm, and with temps from low to mid 90's. We saw: 25 Pipevine Swallowtail, 5 Checkered White, 27, Sleepy Orange, 2 Cloudless Sulphur, 21 Southern Dogface, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 4 Gray Hairstreak, 2 Leda Ministreak, 6 Reakirt's Blue, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 28 Marine Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 3 Mormon Metalmark, 2 Palmer's Metalmark, 9 American Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 Elada Checkerspot, 1 Texan Crescent, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Monarch, 25 Queen, 3 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Northern White Skipper, 3 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 8 Common/Desert Checkered Skipper and 7 Orange Skipperling.
From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2007
David Powell and I had 24 visitors along with us when we started off the Butterfly walk; our report below includes some that we saw after the official walk, when we checked out the small drying-up puddle in the Queen Creek. We found: 32 Pipevine Swallowtail, 6 Checkered White, 6 Sleepy Orange, 3 Southern Dogface, 4 Dainty Sulphur, 1 Gray Hairstreak, 7 Reakirt's Blue, 3 Ceraunus Blue, 12 Marine Blue, 1 Spring Azure, 2 Square-spotted Blue (Martin's); 1 Mormon Metalmark, 12 American Snout, 1 Checkerspot sp., 3 Bordered Patch, 10 Empress Leilia, 2 Queen, 2 Northern White Skipper, 2 Orange Skipperling, 3 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 1 Acacia Skipper, 1 Sheep Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Saturday, March 24, 2007
We had roughly 20 people show up for our first official butterfly walk of 2007 today...unfortunately, not as many butterflies. This may be the first walk where the people outnumbered the butterflies! On the "official" walk we had 15 Pipevines, one Painted Lady, and one Queen. Distraught by the poor turnout, I walked the entire Main Trail afterward, hoping to find something flying somewhere (below is a record of that). Overall a poor butterfly day. Since March 21 we've had just short of two inches of rain. The rain cleared out about 30 minutes before the walk started. I'd guess that had something to do with the poor turnout. This list reflects what was seen from 9:30-12:30 on a day that was partly cloudy, with temps in the low-60s. 31 Pipevine Swallowtails, 2 Two-tailed Swallowtails, Sleepy Orange, Marine Blue, Tiny Checkerspot, Painted Lady, 3 Empress Leilia, 4 Queen, 2 Checkered Skippers. We had a total of 9 species, 46 individuals.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Tuesday, 26 December, 2006
Hi all -- I jst made a 20 minute walk through our Demonstration Garden. Still some things flying after several sub-freezing nights in a row. Pipevine
Swallowtail, Spring White, Clouded Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Dainty Sulphurs, 3 Mexican Yellows, Sleepy Orange, Gray Hairstreak, 2 American Snouts, 4 Queen, 2 Monarchs and 2 Funereal Duskywings.
From: Tom Fiore & Brenda Inskeep (N.Y. City & Peoria, AZ)
Date: Wednesday, December 6
Pipevine Swallowtail, Checkered White, Cabbage White (1), Orange Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Cloudless Sulphur, Mexican Yellow, Barred Yellow, Sleepy Orange, Dainty Sulphur, Leda Ministreak, Western Pygmy-Blue, Fatal Metalmark, American Snout, Variegated Fritillary, Painted Lady (many), Common Buckeye, Queen (common), Common Checkered-Skipper and Common Sootywing.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Saturday October 28
I didn't get to participate in today's guided butterfly walk (the last one here until next Spring, 2007), but was able to go out for two hours in the afternoon. A nice supply of leps still out there -- 30 species/232 individuals. Here is what I found: 29 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 51 Sleepy Orange, 35 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Clouded Sulphur, 1 Orange Sulphur, 22 Southern Dogface, 4 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Mexican Yellow, 1 Great Purple Hairstreak, 1 Ceraunus Blue, 1 Spring Azure, 7 Western Pygmy Blue, 1 Arizona Metalmark, 13 American Snout, 2 Variegated Fritillary, 3 Texan Crescent, 1 Painted Lady, 3 West Coast Lady, 4 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 1 Mourning Cloak, 1 Common Buckeye, 1 Monarch, 18 Queen, 1 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 13 Common/White Checkered Skipper, 3 Orange Skipperling, 6 Fiery Skipper, 4 Eufala Skipper.
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Saturday, September 23
What a great day for butterflies! From 9:30 to 11:00a.m. we counted 40 Pipevine Swallowtails, 60 Cloudless Sulphurs, 25 Clouded Sulphers, 20 Southern Dogface, 4 Snouts, 1 Painted Lady, 15 Empress Leilia, 4 Monarchs (two were tagged by Arboretum Education Coordinator Chris Kline today during the walk); 30 Queens, 3 Funereal Duskywings, 20 Skippers (not sure what kind) some Fiery; some unidentified. I was able to get good photos of the Funereal Duskywing and Clouded Sulpher -- see you Oct. 28 for next Butterfly Walk!
From: Chris Kline
Date: Friday, September 22
From 10 a.m. to Noon there were light breezes and temperatures in the low 80s. Species include 6 Black Swallowtail, 63, Pipevine Swallowtail, 5 Large Orange Sulphur, 50 Sleepy Orange, 160 Cloudless Sulphur, 6 Southern Dogface, 2 Gray Hairstreak, 3 Marine Blue, 2 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Mormon Metalmark, 14 American Snout, 3 Tiny Checkerspot, 1 California Patch, 5 Bordered Patch, 3 Painted Lady, 96 Empress Leilia, 3 Monarch, 33 Queen, 12 Funereal Duskywing, 5 Common/White Checkered Skipper, 2 Orange Skipperling, 2 Fiery Skipper, 15 Eufala Skipper. Note: no adults today, but caterpillars were on fennel in our Herb Garden. on a short walk Monday I also spotted Western Pygmy Blue and Dainty Sulphur, and yesterday on a school program saw a Giant Swallowtail. My suspicion is that the latter was so terrorized by the 5th graders its probably in Yuma by now! Friday I had 23 species/479 individuals. All in all, a good list for the Arboretum. Initially I thought I might have a chance to beat John Saba's species record here at BTA (is it 31 John?) but no luck! Includes the entire Main Trail plus the Demonstration and Herb Gardens.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Wednesday, August 23
In preparation for our butterfly walk on Saturday (August 26) I took a walk this morning to see who's about. Kurt Radamaker will be leading Saturday's walk, which starts at 9:30am. Today I had 13 species (302 individuals) and I also have 47 monarch caterpillars in my milkweed study area. Species counted from 9:45am - 11:30am includ 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Orange Sulphur, 3 Sleepy Orange, 229 Cloudless Sulphur, 3 Large Orange Sulphur, 1 Lyside Sulphur, 14 Marine Blue, 1 Fatal Metalmark, 4 American Snout, 13 Empress Leilia, 1 Monarch, 10 Queen and 1 Funereal Duskywing.
From: Chris Kline
Date: August 1, 2006
The Lysides have arrived! A short walk around the Arboretum this morning produced 154 individuals (11 species) on a calm, sunny day with temperatures in the low 90s. Seen were 5 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Sleepy Orange, 47 Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Clouded Sulphur, 72 Lyside Sulphur, 6 Marine Blue, 1 Fatal Metalmark, 3 Empress Leilia, 15 Queen, 1 Acacia Skipper and 1 Fiery Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: June 21, 2006
What a difference a year makes, my count a year ago on this date tallied 19 species and 1,376 individuals, while today there were 112 individuals representing 16 species observed around the Arboretum from 9:45-11:30 a.m. on a sunny morning with no wind and temps ranging from 90-100 degrees from start to finish. Most of the Checkered Skippers were on blooming Silver Germander - this plant is quite the butterfly magnet this year! Butterflies seen included 9 Pipevine Swallowtail, 29 Sleepy Orange, 1 Southern Dogface, 1 Mexican Yellow, 24 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Marine Blue, 3 Western Pygmy Blue, 1 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Elada Checkerspot, 3 Empress Leilia, 18 Queen, 6 Funereal Duskywing, 12 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 7 Common/White Checkered-skipper, 3 Orange Skipperling and 2 Fiery Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: May 26
Marine Blues were the most numerous of all today, with 101 counted around the Arboretum on the day before our regular butterfly walk. Also seen were 5 Pipevine Swallowtail, 6 Sleepy Orange, 7 Southern Dogface, 1 "Siva" Juniper Hairstreak, 2 Gray Hairstreak, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 4 Mormon Metalmark, 8 American Snout, 2 Tiny Checkerspot, 13 Empress Leilia, 20 Queen...for a total of 12 species and 170 individuals. Numbers are starting to rebound from a very slow spring!
From: Chris Kline
Date: Saturday, April 29
Such a nice day decide to look for leps and odonates. Sunny, light breeze, temp low 80's. Found 11 Pipevine Swallowtails, 14 Marine Blue, one each Spring Azure, American Snout and Empress Leilia; 6 Tiny Checkerspot (total of six species and 34 individuals). Also had a couple sulphurs but couldn't get a good look. Probably Sleepy Orange. Also had a very dark skipper, lacking white fringe. In comparison to previous years, on April 23, 2005 had 17 species (96 individuals) and was being over-run by Texan Crescents. And on April 28, 2004, 24 species and 185 individuals including 60 Snouts and 25 Checkered Whites. I find it very interesting how things change from year to year!
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Saturday, April 22
Participants who attended our first guided butterfly tour of 2006 saw 12 Pipevine Swallowtails, one Sleepy Orange, one Snout, one Marine Blue and that was it! Luckily I had brought along some specimens to look at or it would have been really disappointing. The weather was just too cool for the butterflies. We did spot four caterpillars on the Fennel plant in the Herb Garden.
From: Chris Kline
Date: April 1, 2006
TGIA (thank God its April!); March was such a bust, but today a glimmer of hope penetrated my pessimism. Eight species and 37 individuals. Sunny, light breeze, temps in the low 70's. Species, and numbers of individuals observed, includ 21 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Sara's Orangetip, 7 Sleepy Orange, 2 Marine Blue, 2 Spring Azure, 1 American Snout, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Monarch. Our first Vanessa's of the season. Also, we rarely get spring monarchs thru here. This one was rather beat up and faded. It wouldn't settle down long enough to determine gender. Also had what I think was a Satyr Comma, but I no more than spotted it and it took wing. When I spotted it it was nectaring on sumac.
From: John Saba
Date: Oct. 8
Today's list includes 38 species, which represents an incredible diversity for this location. There were 437 individuals seen on a day with temperature from 75-85 degrees, partly cloudy skies, intermittent light wind, becoming breezy in afternoon. Seen were 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Black Swallowtail, 1 Giant Swallowtail, 4 Checkered White, 3 Orange Sulphur, 5 Southern Dogface, 11 Cloudless Sulphur, 25 Sleepy Orange, 12 Mexican Yellow, 2 Dainty Sulphur, 10 Gray Hairstreak, 25 Leda Ministreak, 13 Spring Azure, 2 Reakirt's Blue, 25 Ceraunus Blue, 4 Marine Blue, 7 Western Pygmy Blue, 11 Mormon Metalmark, 7 Fatal Metalmark, 15 American Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 1 Texan Crescent, 25 Painted Lady, 6 Common Buckeye, 1 Tropical Buckeye, 22 Empress Leilia, 2 Monarch, 135 Queen, 2 Arizona Powdered-Skipper, 1 Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis sp. 3); 9 Common/White Checkered-Skipper, 2 Erichson's White-Skipper, 7 Orange Skipperling, 7 Fiery Skipper, 1 Cestus Skipper, 1 Sheep Skipper, 7 Eufala Skipper and one Violet-clouded Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Friday, Oct. 8, from 9:15 am to 10:45 pm
Tied John Saba's record for species during my 90 minute trip around the grounds -- great butterflies right now! We saw 28 different species and 223 individuals, including 17 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Giant Swallowtail, 2 Checkered White, 12 Sleepy Orange, 9 Cloudless Sulphur, 6 Southern Dogface, 3 Mexican Yellow, 3 Gray Hairstreak, 1 Leda Ministreak, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 10 Ceraunus Blue, 2 Marine Blue, 3 Spring Azure, 1 Western Pygmy Blue, 2 Arizona Metalmark, 3 Mormon Metalmark, 10 Snout, 1 Gulf Fritillary, 19 Painted Lady, 7 Empress Leilia, 1 Common Buckeye, 1 Monarch, 99 Queen, 2 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Northern White Skipper, 1 White/Common Checkered Skipper, 5 Fiery Skipper and 1 Eufala Skipper. We also had a bug that looked like a small, not quite right, version of the White/Common Checkered SKipper.
From: John Saba
Date: Saturday, August 20, from 9:10 am to 3:50 pm
Today's count around the grounds included 184 individuals representing 21 species, including 26 Pipevine Swallowtail, 2 Two-tailed Swallowtail, 1 Checkered White, 7 Orange Sulphur, 3 Southern Dogface, 7 Cloudless Sulphur, 25
Sleepy Orange, 1 Leda Ministreak, 6 Ceraunus Blue, 9 Marine Blue, 1 Western Pygmy-Blue, 7 American Snout, 5 Elada Checkerspot, 1 Texan Crescent, 12 Painted Lady, 3 Common Buckeye, 4 Empress Leilia, 60 Queen, 1 Arizona Powdered-Skipper, 1 Erichson's White-Skipper, 2 Fiery Skipper. Temperatures ranged from 85-95 degrees on a day that was sunny, mostly still, and humid.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Thu, August 11
Thursday I counted 14 species and 70 individuals around the grounds, including 11 Pipevine Swallowtail, 1 Sleepy Orange, 4 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Clouded Sulphur, 2 Leda Ministreak, 3 Ceraunus Blue, 1 Elada Checkerspot, 3 Painted Lady, 4 Common Buckeye, 1 Monarch, 36 Queen, 1 Golden-headed Scallopwing, 1 Common/White Checkered-Skipper and 1 Fiery Skipper. Conditions were mostly sunny 12:30-2:30 pm with a slight breeze, temperatures in the low 90's. A relatively slow day lepidopterally speaking. Anybody seeing Lyside Sulphurs yet? Should be about time. Odonately speaking, things are really picking up. There's water in Queen Creek again; I wasn't really dressed to go wading, but saw several Flame Skimmers, Roseate Skimmers, Filigree Skimmer and others.
From: John Saba
Date: Saturday, July 23
Best spot was today was the Demonstration Garden, but the Butterfly Garden, Herb Garden, and Legume Exhibit were also worth checking. Temperatures from 85 - 95 degrees, partly cloudy, with intermittent light wind and very humid. Today's count of 28 species may be a new record! And a total of 177 individuals. Species (and totals) were 20 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Checkered White, 6 Southern Dogface, 5 Cloudless Sulphur, 22 Sleepy Orange, 2 Mexican Yellow, 1 Eurema sp., very probably Boisduval's Yellow (very ratty individual); 2 Dainty Sulphur, 5 Gray Hairstreak, 6 Leda Ministreak, 3 Reakirt's Blue, 6 Ceraunus Blue, 1 Marine Blue, 5 Fatal Metalmark, 6 American Snout, 2 Variegated Fritillary, 1 American Lady, 6 Painted Lady, 10 Common Buckeye, 7 Empress Leilia, 1 Monarch, 40 Queen, 1 Northern Cloudywing, 4 Common/White Checkered-Skipper, 1 Erichson's White-Skipper, 4 Orange Skipperling, 5 Fiery Skipper and 1 Eufala Skipper.
From: Chris Kline
Date: June 21, Tuesday, partly cloudy, calm winds, temp. 105 degrees F. 2:30-4:00 pm.
This is my third year at the Arboretum and I have never seen butterfly numbers like what we are currently experiencing. I apologize in that I sincerely think the numbers below are a gross underestimate. In addition, the observations below were made in only three locations: demonstration garden, rose garden, and herb garden. There was another mile or so of trail I didn't get to: 24 Pipevine Swallowtail, 6 Checkered White, 4 Cloudless Sulphur, 9 Orange Sulphur, 2 Southern Dogface, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 24 Gray Hairstreak, 993 Leda Ministreak (had to estimate numbers on individual plants due to high #'s); 51 Reakirt's Blue, 3 Ceraunus Blue, 89 Marine Blue, 1 *Acmon Blue (new to the BTA checklist!); 3 Fatal Metalmark, 13 Snout, 1 Variegated Fritillary, 2 Texan Crescent, 148 Queen and 1 Common/White Checkered-skipper. Total number of species was 19, with 1,376 individuals. I suppose one nice thing about the hot temps is that several species seem to be attracted to various mints for respite from the heat. It was common place to find Leda Ministreaks at rest on individual plants by the hundreds.
From: Chris Kline
Date: June 8 (Wednesday)
Noticed a large number of butterflies around the Arboretum so I figured today I'd do a one-man butterfly walk around our main trail. WOW! It was not a record for species in one day but was a record for individuals in one day. And all accomplished in a two and a half hour walk. Saw a total of 21 sepecies and 255 individuals including 6 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Giant Swallowtail, 21 Checkered White, 7 Cloudless Sulphur, 4 Orange Sulphur, 5 Southern Dogface, 10 Dainty Sulphur, 16 Gray Hairstreak, 11 Leda Ministreak, 7 Reakirt's Blue, 68 Marine Blue, 3 Fatal Metalmark, 1 Mormon Metalmark, 29 American Snout, 6 Texan Crescent, 1 Empress Leilia, 40 Queen, 2 Funereal Duskywing, 1 Arizona Powdered Skipper, 2 Common/White Checkered Skipper, 1 Orange Skipperling. Also had a new one to BTA but couldn't get a good enough look. A Sootywing of some sort I think, Will check again later. For details about other butterfly reports around Arizona contact email@example.com
From: Chris Kline
Date: May 28 from 10:30 until noon
We had the largest crowd to date for today's butterfly walk: 34 people! Walk was from 10:30am - 12:30, on a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-80's. We had 15 different species and 62 individuals including 8 Pipevine Swallowtail, 3 Giant Swallowtail, 2 Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Clouded Sulphur, 2 Orange Sulphur, 2 Southern Dogface, 5 Dainty Sulphur, 2 Boisduval's Yellow, 1 Reakirt's Blue, 10 Marine Blue, 1 Western Pygmy Blue, 10 American Snout, 2 Texan Crescent, 2 Empress Leilia, 10 Queen. For details about other butterfly reports around Arizona contact email@example.com
From: Chris Kline
Date: April 23, from 10:30 until noon
There were countless blues that wouldn't hold still long enough to get a clear ID on today's guided walk. Reakirt's Blue and Marine Blue have been spotted recently along with Spring Azure. About a mile west of the Arboretum I spotted what was probably an Acmon Blue two days ago. Our walk today tallied 18 species and 97 individual. Numbers of each were: 12 Pipevine Swallowtail, 3 Giant Swallowtail, 3 Clouded Sulphur, 3 Dainty Sulphur, 7 Spring Azure, 2 Western Pygmy Blue, 11 American Snout, 2 Tiny Checkerspot, 43 Texan Crescent, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Hackberry Emperor, 1 Common Buckeye, 1 Queen , 2 Checkered Skipper. And a few which were seen prior to the guided walk include one each of Monarch, Gray Hairstreak, Red Admiral and Arizona Powdered Skipper.
From: John Saba
Date: Saturday, March 26 from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Thirteen species were observed (112+ individuals) on a day with temperatures in the upper 60's, mostly clear, and intermittent light winds. Wildflowers are good, the best place for butterflies is around the Demonstration Garden, but the Herb Garden shows promise as things begin blooming there. Species and relative numbers today were Pipevine Swallowtail 15, Checkered White 15+, "Pima" Desert Orangetip 1, Dainty Sulphur 13, Spring Azure 20, American Snout 1, Mourning Cloak 2, Painted Lady 30+, Red Admiral 6, Empress Leilia 1, Arizona Powdered-Skipper 3, Common/White Checkered-Skipper 3, Orange Skipperling 2.
2004 - 2004 - 2004 - 2004 - 2004 - 2004 - 2004
From: Chris Kline
Date: Dec. 12, from 1:00-2:30pm
Was such a nice day, I couldn't help but go out and do an improptu butterfly count. Not a lot of bugs, but fun none the less. Three miles west of Superior. Elevation 2400-feet, Sunny, light wind, temp low 70's. Numbers and species were 7 Cloudless Sulphur, 1 Southern Dogface, 6 Snout, 10 Queen, and one Monarch -- sporting a light blue tag, couldn't see tag #! Also had a blue of some sort and several little orange ones, but couldn't get close enough to confirm ID (probably orange sulphur).
From: Chris Kline
Date: Nov. 20 from 10:30am - Noon.
The results from today's butterfly walk. Not many bugs, and the few we saw were VERY active (downright hyper!). 4
Pipevine Swallowtails, 4 Cloudless Sulphur, 2 Mexican Yellow, 2 Snout, 1 Empress Leilia, 2 Monarch (one of them recieved tag #C700!), 12 Queen. This was our final walk of the season. We will pick up again in March. Always looking for volunteers to lead these. Once a month, start time at 10:30am. Sign up for one month or several. I'm flexible ;)
Also, anybody traveling to southwest Arizona, Baja, or southern California, please keep an eye out for our tagged monarchs. The tag is circular, light blue, fixed to the lower side of the hindwing, usually the left hindwing.
From: Adriane Grimaldi
Date: Oct. 16 from 10:30am - Noon.
Fifteen visitors attended this month's Butterfly Walk, and we enjoyed great weather. Here are species and total individuals observed: Pipevine Swallowtail 12, Cloudless Sulphur 21, Sleepy Orange 1, Tiny Checkerspot, 1, Checkered Skipper, 1, Snout 4, Painted Lady 8, Empress Leilia 5, Monarch 1, Queen 25.
From: Chris Kline
Date: Sept. 18 from 10:30am - Noon.
Not a lot of variety today, although it had been awhile since we had seen any Blues. I think the weather put a damper on things; here are species and total individuals observed: Pipevine Swallowtail 7, Cloudless Sulphur 7, Marine Blue 1, Western Pygmy Blue 1, Snout 4, Painted Lady 1, Empress Leilia 2, Monarch 3, Queen 61.
From: John Saba
Date: Aug. 21 (8:30 - noon & 1:30 - 3:00, 18 species)
Pipevine Swallowtail 20, Two-tailed Swallowtail 2, Orange Sulphur 3, Southern Dogface 1, Cloudless Sulphur 30, Lyside Sulphur 1, Sleepy Orange 2, Marine Blue 2, Palmer's Metalmark 1, Fatal Metalmark 1, American Snout 5, Painted Lady 2, Empress Leilia 12, Hackberry Emperor 1, Queen 50, Hammock Skipper 6, Funereal Duskywing 4, Fiery Skipper 1, (144 individuals)
From: Chris Kline
Date: July 17
This morning's butterfly walk at the Arboretum was led by Adriane Grimaldi. Thanks Adriane, Great work! The walk was conducted between 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with conditions partly cloudy and temperatures in the upper 80s, and winds calm. Species and totals are as follows: 1Pipevine Swallowtail 7, Sleepy Orange 2, Cloudless Sulfur 2, Southern Dogface 3, Fatal Metalmark 1, Empress Leilia 1, Common Buckeye 1, Queen 30, Funeral Duskywing 1, Arizona Powdered Skipper 3, Black-tailed Rattlesnake 1. About an hour prior to the walk, an Acacia/Gold-costa Skipper was spotted. Not sure which it was. Two reminders:
1. I ALWAYS welcome guest leaders for our butterfly walks. If you'd like to lep new territory, give me a shout and I'll plug you into the schedule.
2. BTA will be tagging monarchs again this year, starting late August. Last year we got about 75 tagged statewide. Would like to increase that number markedly. Especially looking for more taggers in Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. For details please email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 520.689.2723
From: Chris Kline
Date: June 19
We tallied 13 species and a total of 78 individuals during today's walk from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Weather was sunny, temperatures in the mid-90's. Most numerous specie today was the Queen Butterfly, with 30 individuals counted around the grounds. Other species (and numbers) were Pipevine Swallowtail 10, Sleepy Orange 10, Cloudless Sulfur 2, Southern Dogface 4, Dainty Sulfur 6, Gray Hairstreak 1, Reakirt's Blue 5, Marine Blue 3, Fatal Metalmark 1, Texan Crescent 1,
Common Buckeye 1, and one Funereal Duskywing.
From: John Saba
Date: May 15
The trip adds Ceraunus Blue to the checklist and upgrades Mormon Metalmark from "rare" to "infrequent." Depending on what's blooming, maybe next time we should take a stroll through the herb garden -- the flowering thyme was full of activity, with five or more species. Species - and totals - April 28 include Pipevine Swallowtail 15, Checkered White 45, Orange Sulphur 1, Southern Dogface 15, Cloudless Sulphur 1, Sleepy Orange 12, Dainty Sulphur 15, Gray Hairstreak 2, Leda Ministreak 2, Spring Azure 1, Reakirt's Blue 7, Ceraunus Blue 1, Marine Blue 15, Mormon Metalmark 5, American Snout 35, Texan Crescent 5, West Coast Lady 1, Red Admiral 1, Common Buckeye 4, Empress Leilia 6, Queen 12, Funereal Duskywing 4, Common/White Checkered-Skipper 3, Orange Skipperling 1. (209 individuals).
From: Kurt Radamaker
Date: Saturday, May 8
20+ American Snout, 2 Sleepy orange, 4 Common Buckeye, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Leda Ministreak, 2 Dainty Sulphur, 10+ Pipevine Swallowtail, 5+ Checkered White, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 3 Texan Cresent, 3 Common Buckeye, 5 Queen, 2 Western-pygmy Blue, 4 Mexican Yellow, 4 Sulphur(sp) 4 Blue (sp)
From: John Saba
Date: April 28
Pipevine Swallowtail 20+, Checkered White 25+, Clouded Sulphur 1, Southern Dogface 3, Cloudless Sulphur 1, Sleepy Orange 7, Mexican Yellow 1, Dainty Sulphur 15+, Gray Hairstreak 2, Spring Azure 1, Reakirt's Blue 3, Marine Blue 2, Western Pygmy-Blue 10, Mormon Metalmark 1, American Snout 60+, Tiny Checkerspot 3, Elada Checkerspot 1, Texan Crescent 2, Mourning Cloak 1, Red Admiral 2, Common Buckeye 3, Tropical Buckeye 1, Empress Leilia 16+, Hackberry Emperor 4, Queen 3, Arizona Powdered-Skipper 1.
Read more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum weekend nature walks and EVENTS