April 7th sightings, Rockland County, NY

[Tom Fiore]

Hello all,

 

Some butterfly sightings from Sunday April 7th, on the Long Path hiking trail in eastern Rockland County, NY - a good place in some parts for Falcate Orangetips in mid-spring.  That species was out in fine numbers, with some females among at least 20 in all, of which about 3/4 or more were patrolling males.  

 

A great surprise to find quite that early in the season was a small, thus presumed male, Pearl Crescent - of which a photo is offered here.  

 

The other butterflies along this trail included modest numbers of Spring Azures - particular forms not identified this time - and some Eastern Commas, and nice numbers of active Mourning Cloaks, as well as a relatively-few Cabbage Whites.  The Falcate Orangetips when out, can be more numerous by far than are Cabbage in this area, although the Falcates are far more localized near where host-plants grow and not far off from those plants - which are not at all easily seen, as extremely steep slopes, even cliff faces can have areas with these and other native flowering plants, which even any agile browsing deer are less likely to get to.  On subsequent days since the 7th, no more sightings of Pearl Crescent were had, while the numbers of Falcates in that same area were increased, and with slightly more females being seen than previously, but males still outnumbering the former. This seems to be one of the first sites in the state that can have the Falcate Orangetip flying, while in some other sites, including in several other NY counties to the north, their emergences are (I believe) almost always a bit later.  We have at least a few records of a few Falcates still being seen on the wing in early June, most if not all of those June records from the northern sectors of the known range of the species within NY state.  (In places such as central Florida the species can be out flying far earlier than in New York, not surprisingly.)

 

More of the many native spring ephemeral wildflowers and other native plants are coming in to bud and/or bloom. The several days that had brighter sun, and of course plentifui rains so far this season have ensured good bloom in the region. A lot more seems likely to emerge, and to show, in the coming week with still more sun and some warmth predicted in the SE / inland parts of N.Y. state.

 

Good observations to everyone.

Tom Fiore - Manhattan, N.Y.