This is the fourth year in succession that I have produced an annual butterfly report for Washtenaw County and environs. Alas, unlike in previous years, it has been sadly delayed by pressure of other work. And in part consequence to procrastination, it is less complete this year, even though more than a thousand entries have been added to the database. Some records have been mislaid, particularly from Roger Wykes; the full details of the impressive survey of butterflies in Ann Arbor's natural areas coordinated by David Cappaert are not available to me; and, to tell the truth, data entry fatigue with regard to small numbers of common species has set in. The report is therefore less "robust" than its predecessors.
In 1997 interest in local butterflies was subject to vicissitudes. Hristos Anastassiu and Richard Brown left the area, and other stalwarts such as John Farmer and Michael Kielb were heavily involved in other projects. On the other side of the coin, truly massive field effort into finding Washtenaw County butterflies was expended by Roger Kuhlman and Roger Wykes. Throughout the season they engaged ina friendly rivalry to find the most county species; eventually honor was totally satisfied with a tie -- 68 species each! Other important records were furnished by Martin Bialecki, John Farmer, Michael Kielb, Michael Parow, Jerry Paulessen and John Swales.
In 1997 an impressive total of four
NABA counts were conducted within the area:
| Name of Count | Date | Species Count | Total Individuals | Compiler | |
| Ann Arbor | 12 July | 38 | 832 | D. Cappaert | |
| Chelsea | 28 June | 30 | 361 | R. Wykes | |
| Saline River | 22 July | 33 | 779 | R. Brown | |
| SW Washtenaw | 10 July | 36 | 831 | J. Swales | |
In 1997 reports have been received of 71 species found both in the GWC, with 77 in Washtenaw County itself. This is the lowest total since 1994 and primarily reflects a total absence of southern immigrants. However, two species were added to the post-1994 county list: Aphrodite from Sharon Hollow and Purplish Copper from Whelan Lake. The list now stands at 84 species with a further four from NW Monroe.
The expression "Greater Washtenaw County" (GWC) refers to the county proper plus adjacent areas of bordering counties, such as the Jackson County portion of the Waterloo recreation area, Lenawee County down to Ives Road Fen, and the Maumee floodplain area of north-west Monroe County.
Thus, the total number of species found in the GWC over the last
three years is 88, 82 of them in Washtenaw County.`
As in previous years, the following two "summative" abbreviations
have been used:
N = the total number of date/location species sightings during
the season
T = the total number of species' individuals recognized during
the season
Other abbreviations are: MBG (The Matthaei Botanical Gardens); M14-ERA
(The Environmental Study Area off N. Maple Rd. in NW Ann Arbor); NRA (the
Noggles Road area in SW Washtenaw); and SGA (State Game Area).
Silver-spotted Skipper Epargyreus clarus Very common and widely distributed in a variety of habitats. Seen from 6 June to 10 October, with a maximum of 42 on July 10 in the Noggles Road area (NGA). Totals: N = 51; T = 211.
Hoary Edge Achalarus lyciades Rare and local. Seen from 28 June to 6 July. Only one found off Hankerd Rd. during the Chelsea NABA Count -- its traditional location. One from a new site at Sharon Hollow (29 June). Totals: N =3; T = 4.
Southern Cloudywing Thorybes bathyllus Uncommon. Found from 22 June to 10 July, with a maximum of 6 at Parker Mill on 29 June. Totals: N = 5; T = 11.
Northern Cloudywing Thorybes pylades Fairly rare. Found from 21 June to 7 July. Totals: N = 3: T = 4.
Checkered Skipper Pyrgus communis No reports this year; a single individual in 1994, two in 1995.
Common Sootywing Pholisora catullus As in previous years, remarkably difficult to find. Found from 15 June to 2 August, with a maximum of six on Hack Rd on 2 August. Although traditionally associated with the southern borders of the county, this year there were several reports from the heavily-wooded north-west. Totals: N = 7; T = 13. A continuing puzzle.
Dreamy Duskywing Erynnis icelus Uncommon. Found from 23 May to 2 July, with a maximum of 2 at Parker Mill on 19 June. Quite widely distributed this year. N = 7; T = 8.
Sleepy Duskywing Erynnis brizo Fairly rare. Found from 5 to 15 June, with a maximum of two on two occasions. Totals: N = 3; T = 5.
Horace's Duskywing Erynnis horatius Uncommon. Found from 25 July to 16 August, with a maximum of 4 at Sealy/Scio Ridge. This is probably the last year that there will be important Erynnis records from this site because it has now been given over to housing development. Given the identification problems, possible sightings of the first brood are likely to have again been "lumped" into the following species. Totals: N = 5; T = 9.
Juvenal's Duskywing Erynnis juvenalis The only relatively common and widespread duskywing in the area. Found from 10 May to 23 June, with a maximum of 11 at Stinchfield Woods on 7 June. Totals: N = 11; T = 38.
Wild Indigo Duskywing Erynnis baptisiae Despite the optimism in previous reports, this again proved to be a rare butterfly this year. Five single individuals were reported, but four from the threatened Sealy Rd/SCio Ridge site, with its extensive crown-vetch patches. One record from the Arb is a new location. Totals: N = 5; T = 5. The expansion of this species into the county still seems to be "on hold".
Persius Duskywing Erynnis persius No reports. Three individuals reported from NW Monroe last year.
Least Skipper Ancyloxypha numitor Fairly common. Found from 21 June to 3 September, with a maximum of 54 at Crosswind Marsh. Totals: N = 13; T = 72.
European Skipper Thymelicus lineola Abundant to super-abundant in the second half of June. Found from 21 June to 26 July. A maximum of 376 on the NRA count. Totals: N = 27; T = 851.
Fiery Skipper Hylephila phyleus No reports. One South Seventh report of this rare immigrant from the south in October last year. Previously reported in 1994 from the same location.
Leonard's Skipper Hesperia leonardus Uncommon. Found from 9 September to 26 September. Something of a banner year for this-last-to-emerge showy skipper species. New locations included Marshall Park and Prospect Hill. Totals: N = 8; T = 21.
Peck's Skipper Polites coras Common and widespread throughout much of the summer. Found from 6 June to 19 September, with a maximum of 12 on 30 August in the MBG. No large accumulations this year. Totals: N = 31; T = 76.
Tawny-edged Skipper Polites themistocles A fairly common summer skipper, but rarely as numerous as the previous species. Found from 14 June to 2 September, with a maximum of 4 on two occasions. Totals: N = 14; T = 27.
Crossline Skipper Polites origenes Unlike last year, no reports.
Long Dash Polites mystic Found from 18 June to 29 July, with a maximum of 5 on 19 June in the Arb. This species seems to be quite widespread in Ann Arbor city parks, but its general status in the GWC remains unclear. Totals: N = 14; T = 27.
Northern Broken-Dash Wallengrenia egeremet Fairly common. Found from 7 July to 23 August, with a maximum of 10 at South Seventh on `2 July. Totals: N = 21; T = 50.
Little Glassywing Pompeius verna Reverted in 1997 to its uncommon status. Again there was a restricted flight period -- 10-20 July, with a maximum of 4 on 12 July at Miller Park. Totals: N = 7; T = 11.
Delaware Skipper Atrytone logan Fairly common in marshy habitat. Found from 22 June to 19 August, with a maximum of 15 at the NRA on 10 July. Totals: N = 111; T = 28.
Mulberry Wing Poanes massasoit Uncommon. Found only 10-27 July, with a maximum of 10 on the first date during the SW county NABA count on the first date. Totals: N = 7; T = 21.
Hobomok Skipper Poanes hobomok This is the area's large, flashy skipper of June. Found from 30 May to 2 July, with a maximum of 11 on 14 June in the MBG. Totals: N = 24; T = 73.
Broad-winged Skipper Poanes viator Continues to be scarce and very local. Found only from 20 July to 29 July. Only one individual from its (by now) traditional location along Fleming Creek at the MBG. A maximum of three on Embury Road on 27 July. One from a new location at Prospect Hill. Totals: N = 4; T = 6.
Dion Skipper Euphyes dion Uncommon, but not as rare as once thought. A maximum of five on Embury Rd. on 20 July; also three on the NRA count. Totals: N = 4; T = 10.
Duke's Skipper Euphyes dukesi No reports. Very local and rare, and no attempt was made to find them at their traditional site on Zieman Rd in NW Monroe.
Black Dash Euphyes conspicua Restricted to wet marshes and fens. Found from 16-27 July. Totals: N = 5; T = 7.
Eastern Dun Skipper Euphyes ruricola metacomet Fairly common. Found from 25 June to 6 September, with a maximum of 3 on 2 August on Embury Rd. Totals: N = 16; T = 18.
Dusted Skipper Atrytonopsis hianna No reports. Apparently very rare. Four examples of this "early" prairie skipper were found at a traditional site near Petersberg in NW Monroe on 14 June, 1996.
Roadside Skipper Amblyscirtes vialis No reports this year. Rare.
Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes Fairly common. Found from 23 May to 9 September, with a maximum of 8 at South Seventh on 9 August. Totals: N = 17; T = 33.
Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes A much smaller flight than last year's extravaganza. Found from 7 June to 28 September, with a maximum of two on two occasions. Totals: N = 19; T = 22.
Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus Common. Found from 23 May to 17 September, with a maximum of seven at Traver Creek Park on 19 August. Totals: N = 35; T = 68.
Spicebush Swallowtail Papilio troilus Fairly common. Found from 5 June to 6 September, with a maximum of three on two occasions. Totals: N = 14; T = 20.
Mustard White Pieris napi Rare and local. Found from 6 May to 31 August, with a maximum of two on the first date at the Chelsea SGA. Totals: N = 5; T = 6.
Cabbage White Pieris rapae Common, widespread and sometimes abundant. Found from 20 April to 19 October, with a maximum of 95 on Hack Rd on 2 August. Totals: N = 31; T = 294.
Common/Clouded Sulphur Colias philodoce Common, but never becoming abundant this year. Found from 17 May to 12 October, with a maximum of 32 at Green Lake on 31 August. Totals: N = 32; T = 297. Towards the end of the season some hybrids with the following species were noted.
Alfalfa Butterfly/Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme Common. Found from 1 July to 12 October, with a maximum of 54 on 21 September at Crosswind Marsh. Totals: N = 21; T = 166.
Orange-barred Sulphur Phoebis philea Not surprisingly, there was again no recurrence in 1997 of this exceptionally rare immigrant from the deep south.
Little Sulphur Eurema lisa
No reports this year.
American Copper Lycaena phlaes americana This species remains rather hard to find. Found from 13 July to 17 September, with a maximum of eight on Arkona Rd on 1 September. Totals: N = 10; T = 24.
Bronze Copper Hyllolycaena hyllus Scarce, although found from 6 July to 28 September, with a maximum of seven at Crosswind Marsh on 1 September. Totals: N = 4; T = 12.
Dorcas Copper Lycaena dorcas Local and scarce. The only reports were 21 at the traditional fen in Park Lyndon North on 20 July and four a week later.
Purplish Copper Epidemia helloides Four reported from the Whelan Lake fen in the NRA on 29 July -- a major find. Last reported in 1994.
Coral Hairstreak Harkenclennus titus Uncommon. Found from 5-26 July, with a maximum of two on 10 July at Sharon Hollow. Not found at Miller Park this year. Totals: N = 7; T = 8.
Acadian Hairstreak Satyrium acadium Fairly rare. Found from 12-24 July, with maxima of three at the MBG on 16 July and at Parker Mill on july 24. Totals: N = 3; T = 7.
Edward's Hairstreak Satyrium edwardsii Rare. One at Park Lyndon North on 6 July and another at Sharon Hollow on 10 July. Last reported in 1994.
Banded Hairstreak Satyrium falacer Fairly common. Found from 29 June to 6 August. A maximum of 23 on 16 July at the MBG. Totals: N = 12; T = 38.
Hickory Hairstreak Satyrium caryaevorus One example of this rare hairstreak was found on North Campus on 23 July. Others were apparently reported on the Ann Arbor butterfly survey but the details are not known to me.
Striped Hairstreak Satyrium liparops One found at Foster Park on 25 July. (But see the comment under the previous species.)Fairly uncommon.
Brown Elfin Incisilia augustinus No reports. Very local and rare. No visits were made this year to the 'leatherleaf bog' near Cavanaugh Lake, where four were reported on 18 May in 1996.
Frosted Elfin Callophrys irus No reports.
Gray Hairstreak Styrmon melinus No reports.
Eastern Tailed Blue Everes comyntas Common. Found from 28 June to 8 October, with a maximum of five on two occasions. Totals: N = 20; T = 42.
Spring Azure Celestrina ladon Common, but less common than usual. Found from 8 May to 18 August, with a maximum of four on two occasions. Totals: N = 14; T = 30.
Harvester Feniseca tarquinius
Local and scarce. Found from 24 July to 6 September, with
a remarkable maximum of 13 at Foster Park on 6 August. Most sightings were
close to alder-lined river banks, but Marshall Park was a new location.
Totals: N = 4; T = 16.
American Snout Libytheana carinenta
No reports in 1997 of this rare immigrant from the south.
Buckeye Junonia coenia No reports in 1997; last reported in 1994.
Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia No reports
Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele This large species is the only common and widespread fritillary in the area. Found from 29 June to 26 September, with a maximum of 46 in the NRA on 10 July. Totals: N = 29; T = 210.
Aphrodite Speyeria aphrodite One at Sharon Hollow on 7 September. This is the first report from Washtenaw County in recent years (as opposed to NW Monroe).
Silver-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene This lesser fritillary appears to be local in the GWC since it is restricted to fens. Found from 28 June to 31 August, with a maximum of three on Hadley Rd on the last date. Totals: N = 5; T = 8.
Meadow Fritillary Boloria bellona no reports!
Baltimore Euphydryas phaeton Fairly widespread and sometimes locally common. Found from 15 June to 27 July with a maximum of 55 in the NRA on 10 July. Totals: N = 23; T = 133.
Harris' Checkerspot Chlosyne harrisii Uncommon and local. The only report was five on the Chelsea Count in Park Lyndon North on 28 June.
Silvery Checkerspot Charidryas nycteis Fairly common, and certainly under-reported here. Found from 25 June to 26 September with a maximum of 27 at Marshall Park. Totals: N = 11; T = 68.
Pearl Crescent Phycoides tharos Very widespread and often common. Found from 5 June to 10 October, with a maximum of 45 at Crosswind Marsh on 1 September. Totals: N = 41; T = 234.
Northern Crescent Phycoides selenis Three single individuals of this hard-to-identify species, ranging from 5 June to 2 August
Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis Continues to be uncommon. Found from 15 June to 5 August. Totals: N = 8; T = 9.
Eastern Comma/Hop Merchant Polygonia comma More common than the previous species. Found from 26 April to 13 September, with a maximum of five on Embury Rd on 20 July. Totals: N = 11; T = 18.
Compton Tortoiseshell Nymphalis j-album Three single 1997 records of this uncommon "immigrant" from the north, all in mid-July and from the western part of the county.
Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa Fairly common, although never abundant. Found from 21 March to 7 September, with a maximum of four on two occasions. Totals: N = 26; T = 41.
Milbert's Tortoiseshell Aglais milberti
Fairly uncommon this year. Found from 20 March to 21 September,
with a maximum of five in Sharon Hollow on 7 September. Totals: N = 10;
T = 16.
American Painted Lady Vanessa virginiensis
In contrast to last year, fairly common. Found from 22 June
to 28 September, with a maximum of four on Arkona Road on 13 July. Totals;
N = 19; T = 28.
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui No reports. Clearly this famous immigrant did not make it up to the GWC this year.
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Fairly common. Found from 1 April to 28 September, with a maximum of six on Embury Rd on 20 July. Totals: N = 26; T = 42.
Red-spotted Purple Basilarchia arthemis astyanax Generally fairly uncommon, except on Embury Rd where 21 were reported on 27 July. Found from 14 June to 23 August. Totals: N = 21; T = 58.
Viceroy Basilarchia archippus Like last year, again common. Recorded from 15 June to 12 October, with a maximum of 31 at Crosswind Marsh on 1 September. Totals: N = 35; T = 138.
Tawny Emperor Asterocampa clyton
This year more common than the previous species. Found from
6 July to 2 August, with a maximum of 11 on Embury Rd on the first date.
Totals: N = 8; T = 23.
Northern Pearly Eye Enodia anthedon
Fairly uncommon. Found from 6-29 July, with a maximum of five
on 20 July at Embury Rd. Totals: N = 11; T = 23.
Eyed Brown Satyrodes eurydice
Fairly common. Found from 26 June to 6 August, with a maximum
of 12 at the NRA on 10 July. Totals: N = 18; T = 64.
Appalachian Eyed Brown Satyrodes appalachia
Fairly uncommon. Found from 10 July to 10 August, with a maximum
of 11 on 30 July at Foster Park. Totals: N = 9; T = 37.
Little Wood Satyr Megisto cymela
Common and widespread, particularly in June and early July.
Found from 5 June to 9 August, with a maximum of 58 at South Seventh on
12 July. Totals: N = 37; T = 374.
Common Wood Nymph Cercyonis pegala
Widespread and especially common in July. Found from 29 June
to 6 September, with a maximum of 40 at the NRA on 10 July. Totals: N =
22; T = 177.