More butterflies and plants from our garden, continued

-- SKIPPERS --

White-striped Longtail is a locally uncommon species. One nectaring on Cosmos was a nice surprise (1 November 2007)

A Dorantes Longtail, one of many species attracted to Cosmos (4 Oct 2005) (L). The Zilpa Longtail has been recorded in Arizona only a few times. Here one basks on a branch (23 Oct 2005) (Karen LeMay photo) (R).

A Silver-spotted Skipper takes a drink at the pond (23 May 2007).

A very fresh Violet-clouded Skipper, a rather uncommon local species, nectars on Salvia nemorosa (3 Nov 2005)

A Common Streaky-Skipper nectars on Echinacea (27 July 2006)

The gap in this Arizona Powdered-Skipper's left hind wing suggests that it may have survived a bird attack. Here it nectars on Coneflower (Echinacea) (2 July 2007)

A locally rare White-patched Skipper nectars on Dalea bicolor (17 Nov 2005) (L); Sheep Skipper sunning on gravel (1 Oct 2005) (R)

A White-barred Skipper nectars on verbena (14 Mar 2006)

A White/Common Checkered-Skipper on wet gravel (4 May 2004) (L) and a male basking on Dalea bicolor (2 November 2006)

A female Sachem nectars on coneflower (Echinacea) (7 July 2007)

Arizona Skippers: roosting on shaded porch (18 July 2006) (L), and nectaring on Buddleia (24 July 2006)

Mournful Duskywing nectaring on Buddleia (2 July 2006)

Dull Firetip, a late summer flier, nectars on Buddleia (25 Aug 2006)

Orange Skipperling is locally common as its host plant is Bermudagrass. Here one nectars on Buddleia (25 July 2006) (L); a Northern Cloudywing basks on flagstone (27 Apr 2004) (R)

A Carus Skipper nectars on Buddleia (24 July 2006)

During the monsoons, an Arizona Giant-Skipper basks on a rock (15 Sep 2004)

Nysa Roadside-Skipper basking on a rock (12 Jul 2004) (L); Bronze Roadside-Skipper basking on a rock (11 Jul 2004) (R)

A late season Toltec Roadside-Skipper on Buddleia (18 September 2006)

A fresh Deva Skipper basking on a rock (15 May 2006).

Moon-marked Skipper is similar to Deva Skipper (above) but flies during later summer. Here one sits on a wall during an afternoon drizzle (7 August 2007).

A dainty Golden-headed Scallopwing sunning on gravel (19 June 2006)

Common Sootywing is one of the most widespread U.S. butterflies. Here, one basks on primrose after an afternoon shower (7 August 2007).

An Acacia Skipper nectars on Buddleia (31 July 2006)

A Desert Cloudywing roosts on the side of a wood pile (28 June 2006)

Hammock Skipper, a Mexican influx species, nectars on Buddleia (20 August 2006)

Gold-spotted Aguna (Aguna asander) (above and below) nectaring on Buddleia. This is the second rarest butterfly on the yard list, now represented by only four Arizona records (fide Rich Bailowitz) (6 September 2006)

-- A FEW MOTHS --

A fresh Achemon Sphinx (Eumorpha achemon) resting on a branch in the front yard. The local host plant is wild grape (4 August 2007)

A limacodid caterpillar (Isa schaefferana) sits on a stucco wall near its oak hostplant (8 October 2007) (Id. Marc Epstein)

Related to silk moths is Dicogaster coronada (Family Lasiocampidae) (above). This female came in to a lit window on 4 Aug 2007 (id. Bruce Walsh). She remained here and oviposited on 10 August (below left). The eggs began to hatch on 25 August (below right).

The locally common Ctenucha venosa on Eupatorium (2 Sep 2005)

Oculea Silkmoth (Antheraea oculea) at light on porch (1 Aug 2004) (L); Dichorda consequaria (Family Geometridae-inchworms) at light (16 Nov 2005) (Id. Noel McFarland) (R)

Another geometrid, a female Nacophora cristifera at a lit window (26 July 2007)

A male Black Witch roosts on the porch (22 Aug 2005)

Manduca rustica on Desert Willow (25 July 2005) (Karen LeMay photo) (L), Manduca sexta on Datura (24 July 2006) (R)

The noctuid Opsigalea blanchardi uses Buddleia as a host plant (6 September 2006) (Id. Noel McFarland)

Cucullia sp. (Family Noctuidae) on aster (6 September 2006)

White-lined Sphinx Moth on Gaura (10 August 2006)

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata) (6 August 2006) (Karen LeMay photos)

Melipotis indomita, a noctuid, at light (11 June 2006) (Id. C. D. Ferris)

A locally uncommon sphinx moth (Aellopos sp. possibly A. clavipes) nectaring on Verbena pulchella (12 August 2006) (Id. suggested by Cliff Ferris)

For additional information concerning butterflies, moths, and wildlife gardening in SE Arizona, please visit the following sites:

SEABA (Southeastern Arizona Butterfly Association)

Butterflies and Moths of North America

Butterfly Plant List: SEABA Butterfly Garden at the Tucson Audubon Society's Mason Center

The Lepidoptera of Southeastern Arizona

Cheri Melton's Planthoe Gardening

Desert Survivors - A great plant source in Tuson

High Country Gardens (On line catalog)

Tucson Botanical Gardens

WaterWise: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Cochise County

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