BUTTERFLIES OF THE ST. CROIX WATERSHED

Dean Hansen, Wetbugs Press

In addition to the usual butterflies associated with agricultural crops (e.g., the Alfalfa Butterfly) and hardwood forests (e.g., Eastern Comma), there are some habitat-specific species that thrive in the jack-pine barrens, sedge meadows, and bogs in the watershed. Several Elfins are in flight in May in the barrens east of Danbury, WI, as are the Chryxus Arctic, five species of Dusky Winged Skippers, and the Olympia Marble. In May one can search bogs for the Frigga and Freija Fritillaries, and then do the same in June for the Jutta Arctic and Bog Fritillary; in July, bogs are the places to be for the Cranberry Bog Copper and the Dorcas Copper. June and July see two broods of the Karner Blue, the larvae of which are confined to feeding on lupine.

July is the month to seek four or five species of sedge-obligate skippers. With extensive areas of public land, the watershed areas in Burnett and Douglas counties offer the butterfly enthusiast a rich variety of habitats to explore. Slides will illustrate species to be found in the watershed, and a printed handout will give exact locations and target dates for anyone wanting to learn and enjoy the area's butterflies next year.