All Observed Butterflies Of 2024

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This year began how the last year ended and the wet season continued until June. Contrary to other areas, the main zone and my yard remained significantly cooler, despite some significant changes in Zone II. "David's Fields" saw some crop rotation, which resulted in lacy phacelia disappearing almost entirely; only alfalfa, potato plants and fodder beet remained, though at different spots and with varying amounts. Zone I, now no longer being grazed by sheep, continues on its own but, even to my own surprise, two of the most important nectar plants (hay flower and bird vetch) were benefiting from the absence of said sheep, especially the amount of hay flowers grew drastically and all despite the dominance of orchard grass. In fact, the sheer amount of freely-growing orchard grass has begun to attract lined spittlebugs. Zone III, thanks to the wet season, not only saw an increase in damsel- and butterfly species, a common egret settled at the pond, as well.

Sadly, I was diagnosed with a kidney stone on 25 June, limiting my observations for a week to just my yard. Two more weeks were spent engaging in shortened field trips where I largely visited one or two zones at a time.

August saw a brief dry period that ended around mid-September. With a few sunny days in-between, the season ended in early October, with A. io, P. rapae and V. atalanta being the last species to be observed on 6 October.

All Observed Butterflies of 2024 – Additional Comments

New species discovered in 2024:

- Papilio machaon (adult)
- Cupido argiades
- Lycaena phlaeas
- Cupido argiades
- Boloria dia
- Carcharodus alceae
- Pontia edusa

Not seen in 2024:

- Satyrium pruni
- Thecla betulae

Species last seen in 2022 that returned:

- Araschnia levana (f. levana)
- Thymelicus acteon

Overall 41 species were observed this year. Of three species, either imago and caterpillar or adult and eggs were present.

By Season

This list is sorted by meteorological seasons and first observations. Caterpillars and eggs are listed separately.

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Pupae

Caterpillars

Eggs

By Location

This table covers the locations in which I discovered each species. Adults, cater pillars and eggs are listed separately.

Location Index

Adults

Caterpillars

Pupae

Eggs

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