Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

The markings of the Clouded Sulphur are quite similar to those of an Orange Sulphur, however, there is no orange on this butterfly and its yellow colouring is very light and almost faded looking. As well, the post median markings on the hind wing do not seem as prominent as those of a Orange Sulphur. At first I thought perhaps this might be a Pink-edged Sulphur as the pink edging and head on this butterfly is very strong but the central spot on the hind wing is double whereas the spot on the hind wing of the Pink-edged is a single one. Also the Pink-edged sulphur has no hind wing post median spots.

Scallop Shell Moth

Male Monarch Butterfly

My search for Monarch Butterflies was rewarded yesterday when I visited a Milkweed Patch where I had seen this species last summer. I saw two Monarchs when I arrived and was able to get a photo of the male which is pictured here. I do not know if the second Monarch was male or female but plan on checking out this location further another day.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

The first I encountered a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth it was resting on a Tomato plant in my garden a few years ago. The one pictured here is feeding on Milkweed blossoms. My earliest sightings of this species this year was when our Lilac bushes were in bloom and these moths were found there.

Primrose Moth [Schinia florida]

The first time I had seen a Primrose Moth I thought I had discovered a new wildflower; a beautiful yellow one with a pink center! On closer examination though I found a pink Primrose Moth in its center. Ever since then, I often check out Primrose to see if there is a small moth nestled there.

Striped Hairstreak

While standing in my yard taking pictures of baby Tree Swallows in their birdhouse above I caught a glimpse of a small dark butterfly in the bushes beside me. A first sighting ever of a Striped Hairstreak.

Spotted Tussock Moth

Last week I had found a Rosy Maple Moth at a gas station near by. This week I found a Spotted Tussock Moth there. This very pretty yellow

moth also has an attractive looking caterpillar within its life cycle. I found a picture of a Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar in my picture archives which I had taken in August 2001.

Fritillaries, American Copper, Pearly-eye and Red Admiral

Great Spangled Fritillary

Red Admiral

Northern Pearly-eye

Aphrodite Fritillary

American Copper

Virginian Tiger Moth Laying Eggs

This is the third Virginian Tiger Moth I have seen recently. When I took this picture it seemed like there was some sort of white smudging underneath the moth. After downloading the photos I could see that there were actually a whole lot of eggs there. I enlarged a portion of the picture to show the light green ball shaped egg. If you double-click on the photo you will get a larger view of it. The eggs which are successfully hatched will develop into Yellow Bear Caterpillars.

Northern Pearly-eye

At first I had thought this was an Eyed Brown but after researching I have decided that it is a Northern Pearly-eye. The Pearly-eye has a continous white line surrounding the submarginal eye spots whereas the Eyed Brown does not. I first saw this butterfly flitting about my back deck and then, luckily for me, it few into my back porch and landed on the window there. After taking its picture I picked it up and released it outdoors.