Reiman Gardens - Nathan's Notes

August 15, 2010

 This month I am writing about a butterfly found at the Gardens but not in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. The Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) is an Iowa native butterfly that is having a stupendous year. Each year for the last five years, the entomology staff at the Gardens has been conducting population surveys on the Gardens’ grounds. During the first survey in August eighty-nine Orange Sulphurs were observed. To put in perspective just how many more butterflies there are than the previous years, the eighty-nine individuals seen in this single survey were more Orange Sulphurs than all surveys combined last year. The Gardens are not the only place these high numbers are being observed. All over the state large numbers are being reported. Each year, butterfly populations can fluctuate due to a wide variety of factors, so make sure you get out and enjoy the large numbers of Orange Sulphurs. Who knows that next year will bring.

July 15, 2010

June 15, 2010

 Keep an eye out this month in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing for a native species called the Morning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). Since it overwinters as an adult, the Morning Cloak is typically one of the first species observed in spring. Unlike a lot of the nectar feeding butterflies, the Morning Cloak avoids flowers; instead it prefers feeding on rotting fruit and tree sap. Morning Cloaks are strong, deliberate fliers which often sit with their wings closed while at rest. If you are fortunate enough to observe an individual with its wings open during your visit to the Butterfly Wing, take a moment to observe the subtle beauty inside.

May 15, 2010

In butterflies, the “Leafwing” common name usually refers to those butterflies that look like leaves when their wings are closed. Depending on the species, some butterflies have muted coloration and some have flamboyant coloration when they open their wings. The Siderone marthesia is a flamboyant Leafwing which calls the Butterfly Wing home and dazzles visitors, assuming they aren’t hiding from you.

April 15, 2010

This month in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, take time out to search for the Redspot Duke (Dolpha evelina). These individuals are hard to find due to availability rather than camouflage. In the latest shipment from Malaysia only two individuals were sent. Similar in color to the Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita), which I have discussed in the past, the Redspot Duke is primarily a brown butterfly with two small red spots along the front side of the forewing. Native to Asia, the Redspot Duke can be observed feeding from spoiled fruit. At rest, this species often sits with its wings spread making it an excellent individual to observe or photograph while visiting the Butterfly Wing.