Coastal Butterflies (and moths) recently

[Steve Mirick]

I thought I'd just generalize some of our observations along the
seacoast lately.  We've visited Odiorne Point SP, Urban Forestry Center,
Goss Farm, and Spinney Lane Reservoir in Durham lately. There continues
to be only a fraction of the numbers of butterflies seen last year. 
Some areas are showing nice Goldenrod and Goss Farm is showing some nice
Asters starting to show up, but not much using either of them.  Jointed
Charlock (invasive mustard), especially at Odiorne, seems to be favored
by a couple of species.  Glad to get some rain on Saturday and Sunday!

We walked Goss Farm in Rye yesterday, and despite the seemingly abundant
nectar, there were remarkably few butterflies.  One thing of interest
was A LOT OF LOOPER MOTHS.  Certainly more than I've ever noted with
some of the flowers in the community garden hosting 5 or 6 Looper Moths
on each.  Considering how few butterflies there were, I found this
interesting.  I'm still not certain of the species involved or if there
were more than one.  I photographed one and the suggested ID as "Soybean
Looper Moth".  Maybe, but I'm not so sure.  I've never seen this species
(or this genus):

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312560118

Cabbage White - Lots in Jointed Charlock at Odiorne south cove.
Scattered elsewhere.
Sulphurs - Very few.  A couple of Clouded and Orange.
Monarchs - A few.  We had one day where we had about a dozen along the
coast migrating......about a week ago.  But otherwise, scattered
individuals.
Crescents - Remarkably few.  We had three yesterday at Goss Farm. None a
few days ago at Odiorne.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312560119
American Copper - A few at Urban Forestry Center and Odiorne. Including
one slightly aberrant individual:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312023895
Common Ringlet - Only at one spot.  In blue stem field at Urban Forestry
Center where we had 10+ yesterday.
Common Wood-Nymph - A few last week, but none in the last few days.
Zabulon Skipper - Several.  Although there aren't as many as last year,
there are still a fair number.  We counted 9 at Odiorne (most in
Charlock at south end) several days ago and we've seen a couple here and
there at Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth and Spinney Lane in Durham.
Peck's Skipper - A couple here and there.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312560127
RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAK - 1 at Odiorne on September 1st.  None since then
despite extensive searches in goldenrod.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/310866049
Gray Hairstreak - 1 recently at Odiorne.
Eastern Tailed Blue - One or two at random spots
Azure sp. - One or two at Spinney Lane Reservoir in Durham.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/312560080

COMPLETELY ABSENT
-----------------------------
Red Admiral
American Lady
Painted Lady
Silver-bordered Fritillary - Could the colony at Goss Farm in Rye be
completely wiped out by this year's weather?
Wild Indigo Duskywing - I think this species was hit especially hard
this year.
Southern Rarities - Other than the two Red-banded Hairstreaks we've had
this fall, so far no luck with Fiery Skipper, Ocola Skipper, Sachem, or
White M Hairstreaks.

Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA