Greetings, VTLepsters:

Too bad we're not running a slug survey this summer. And we at VBS are
sorry to have been so out of touch. Kent is still on sabbatical. I've just
returned from a one-week bicycle trip (with my net) around northern
Vermont. Not much glittering butterfly light up there. (I did bump into a
few Monarchs.)

So as we wait out the rain, please enjoy a fine discovery by David Hoag in
Grand Isle. As you might have read here on VTLeps last month, David
collected what looks great for a Hickory Hairstreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
on July 26. David has compiled a nice montage comparing his specimen with
the similar Banded Hairstreak (S. calanus). You can find it on my web site
at: www.wingsphotography.com/satycary.html. (Break out your field guides;
note in particular the extension of the blue spot out toward the
post-median spot band in the Hickory Hairstreak.)

Meanwhile, we still have Common Branded Skipper (Hesperia comma) and
Leonard's Skipper (H. leonardus) flights ahead of us. And while the Monarch
population may be down this fall, it won't be long before we begin seeing
migrants.

We might get some sun on Saturday, then again early next week. Enjoy these
remaining days.

Best,
Bryan Pfeiffer
VBS Staff

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The Vermont Butterfly Survey
A Project of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science

27023 Church Hill Road
Woodstock, VT 05091
(802) 457-2779 Ext. 124

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www.vinsweb.org/conservation/vbs
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