December 12, 2008
- HiberMass overwintering clusters of the geometrid (inchworm) moth, Triphosa haesitata. The larvae feed on cascara and vine maple, and the adults overwinter in caves, cabins, and–in this case–the tunnels and rooms of old gun batteries at Fort Worden in Port Townsend. Photo by Robert Michael Pyle.
Two-banded Flasher (aka Flashing Astraptes) photographed at Llano Estero Grande State Park, Weslaco, Texas. Photo by Ben Basham.
Silver-banded Hairstreak, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Photo by Ben Basham.
White Angled Sulphur at rest, perhaps aestivating, at the NABA Butterfly Park, Mission, Texas. Photo by Ben Basham.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
have been following you all year and wish it wasn’t over as I have met so many good people and butterlies on your reports. am so glad i was also able to attend a lecture in Fl and go in the field with you. thank you for your work!
December 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Bob:
Sounds like you really had an enjoyable year, if not a bit tiring at times. Still, lots of great adventures and discoveries.
I’ve finished my update on butterfly photography and it should be released by Amherst Media in February of 2009. Be happy to send you a copy.
William
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
What many wonders, to most of us otherwise unknown!
How heart-warming to see Floyd and June, and Ann and Scott, radiant with smiles; and now we look forward to seeing you and Thea likewise on January 28th,
Love,
Barbara and Barry
January 21st, 2009 at 1:34 am
We have two /T. haesitata/ overwintering in our house. They flitter from room to room, and it is always a pleasant, if fragile, surprise to encounter them. They look like tiny flying shelf/bracket fungi. One of the two seems to like sitting on or inside my cupped hands. As a result the “ruffles” on this one’s left hind wing are a bit tattered. I’ve known curious or “friendly” arthropods in the past, so this doesn’t surprise me.
Our biggest concern is making sure that our pet chicken doesn’t spot the Triphosa Twins, should they get down low. And that we don’t harm them. She and they frequent different rooms, however.
One Triphosa seems to like the door-frame of our project room, so we have the door wedged open as a reminder to look carefully before we close it slowly. They seem quite sprightly in moving away when we disturb them. Their eyes glow molten gold in certain lights. I suppose our “cave” is as good a one as any to overwinter. However…
What do they eat all winter!? Anyone know when it is safe to introduce them to the outside, and where is the best bet? We assume they came in on firewood. Any treats we can set out for them (cascara or /A. circinatum/ buds/twigs)? Any other thoughts on how we can support these beautiful little visitors?
paz
michele
olympia, wa