Red-spotted Purple and Variegated Fritillary at Point Pelee…

[Steve Pike]

With yesterday’s record high temperatures and intriguing wind direction originating from the Gulf of Mexico for three days in a row I couldn’t resist checking Pelee one last time for immigrant leps before the park is closed for Deer cull until Nov 9th.

Upon reaching the tip the first Butterfly Fred Grenier and I came across was an immaculate Red-spotted Purple.  

From what I can find the previous record late anywhere in Ontario was October 1, 2010 Henrietta T. O'Neill also at Pelee so was quite a surprise seeing this one a full 30 days later.

I didn’t come across anything else of interest until just before leaving next to my car was a 

Variegated Fritillary, a species I haven’t seen at Pelee since I can remember.  

Looking into records it seems the last time it’s occurred here was Sep. 14th, 2019, Bob Yukich, Karen Yukich and the record late was also 

Henrietta T. O'Neill reported on October 31st 2000.

With a big gap in days before we can search Pelee again until it opens is unfortunate as surely more unusual species entered the province but with no killing frost in the forecast perhaps its not too late to find something rare or record late before the lep season is truly over.

This year at Pelee has been exceptional with record early and record late dates including a successful Southern Dogface second brood record.  

In the coming weeks I plan on a compilation of these records to share with the group out of interests sake.  

Lastly, I also came across an Ornate Bella Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix) and from iNat I see only one record for Canada which occurred near Grand Bend, Ontario which I’m assuming was also blown in from these winds.  

Not a butterfly but if anyone happens to know more about this species status in Canada please email me privately.

Best,

Steve Pike