Amherst April Tiger

[Josh]

Hi Leppers,

I haven’t seen many butterflies so far this year. Got my usual FOY, Eastern Comma, along Amethyst Brook a few weeks ago. This past Monday a worn-looking American Lady passed through our neighborhood. Otherwise, just a scattering of Cabbage Whites.

Until Wednesday, when a tiger swallowtail winged through our front yard! I was mildly shocked. Given the early date (April 29), presumably a Canadian Tiger? Butterflies of Massachusetts seems to reinforce my impression that it’s early for them; it does list a handful of April dates, but not many.

Cheers,

Josh



Joshua S. Rose, Ph.D.
Amherst, MA
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/opihiman
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Writer/compiler, Bird Observer
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Columnist, “Earth Matters”
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Vice-president, Hampshire Bird Club
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Northeast Chapter head, Dragonfly Society of the Americas
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