VTLEPS List

Re: Week 24: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:31:24 -0400

*The butterfly at the top is the Long Dash (Polites mystic). *The butterfly
at the bottom is a Sassacus or Indian Skipper (*Hesperia sassacus). *

To identify these two, you will have to look closely at the post-median
(PM) band on the hind wing. The PM band for each is made up of pale,
rectangle-like shapes. In the Long Dash, these rectangles have flat edges
on the short sides. The rectangles on the wings of the Sassacus Skipper are
flat on one short edge but are concave or U-shaped on the other. If you
count the rectangles down from the [...]

Week 25: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:30:15 -0400

We had another first of the year skipper sighting yesterday (on
iNaturalist) from our butterfly atlas team. Orange is a popular color for
our Vermont Skippers. While you can sometimes use pale patch patterns on
their wings to tell them apart, sometimes you get species like these with
seemingly solid orange wings.

*Which photo shows a Least Skipper? *
[image: Week 25 Butterfly Quiz.png]
*Click here
<https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMXowisHQ/yuW0jaqnSvOoc8oDQkCEMQ/view?utm_content=DAHMXowisHQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1f02d112a9>
to answer the quiz! * [...]

Re: Week 23: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 12:03:52 -0400

*The butterfly at the bottom is a Northern Broken-dash (Polites egeremet, *you
may also see them listed as *Wallengrenia egeremet**). *The top butterfly
is a Tawny-edged Skipper (*Polites themistocles). *

The *Northern Broken-dash* tends to be a yellow-brown or darker color with
a pale, sometimes hard to see, PM (postmedian or middle wing) band on the
underside hindwing. However, be careful, because the Tawny-edged Skipper
can have spots in this area too. You can see some very pale one spots
present in its' picture above. The PM band on the Northern Broken-dash will
be thicker than it would be on [...]

Week 24: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 11:02:21 -0400

By the end of June, more skippers will be flying around making your IDs
more difficult, including these two 'orange with patterned wings' skippers.

*Which photo shows a Long Dash? *
[image: Week 24 Butterfly ID Quiz.png]
*Click here
<https://www.canva.com/design/DAHLtlRl40I/x3UleuigOuMk_b9EWOqKxw/view?utm_content=DAHLtlRl40I&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdbfbaff9a5>
to answer the quiz!*

Dana Williams
*Community Science Coordinator*

[image: vtecostudies.org] <http://vtecostudies.org>
Mail: PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055
Visit us: 20 Palmer Court, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 649-1431 ext. 223
vtecostudies.org

Re: Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

JACK GLADE — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 07:02:35 -0400

Ok, I understand. Thanks for the help.

> On 06/01/2026 10:36 AM EDT Kent McFarland <kmcfarland@vtecostudies.org> wrote:
>
>
> Kevin got it. When you looked at the block Jack, the date you saw that butterfly was May 19. The data was updated on May 14 when you looked at it. Now it is updated to May 31 for eB and May 25 for iNat at GBIF, where this data is grabbed using a live API connection. So the dates at the top are key here. Likewise, with the newer block species checklist tool (https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vermont-butterfly-atlas/block-checklist-tool/) I have the dates showing [...]

Re: Week 22: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 11:20:53 -0400

The butterfly pictured on the bottom is the Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus)!
The butterfly pictured at the top is the Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici
).

To identify these two species, take a look at the PM line on the forewing.
For the Frosted Elfin, the line has some jagged offsets, while the line is
relatively straight and continuous for the Henry’s. On the hindwing, right
near their short tail, the Frosted Elfin also usually has a prominent black
spot that is absent or less prominent on the Henry’s. [...]

Re: Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

Kent McFarland — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 10:36:10 -0400

Kevin got it. When you looked at the block Jack, the date you saw that
butterfly was May 19. The data was updated on May 14 when you looked at it.
Now it is updated to May 31 for eB and May 25 for iNat at GBIF, where this
data is grabbed using a live API connection. So the dates at the top are
key here. Likewise, with the newer block species checklist tool (
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vermont-butterfly-atlas/block-checklist-tool/)
I have the dates showing on right column right near the top when you select
a block so it tells you how fresh the [...]

Re: e-butterfly

Kevin Hemeon — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 10:06:58 -0400

Full message available at: Re: e-butterfly

Re: e-butterfly

Kent McFarland — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 08:39:06 -0400

They did a massive upgrade of server and software last week and the
programmer and engineer apparently have been working around the clock to
squash problems that were not detected in the development server before. So
if you have issues, the absolute best thing to do is report it to them
right away with specific directions. If you go to eButterfly and click Help
and then click Submit a Ticket, and then give very specific directions on
what has happened...that helps them fix it. If you put it on here, well,
they are not watching every list serv in the [...]

Re: e-butterfly

martha pfeiffer — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 08:31:21 -0400

I, too, am having issues. First, the site was unavailable. Next day
(yesterday) and today when I go to EXPLORE
then put in BENNINGTON COUNTY, the response page shows checklists from
2025, 2024, etc. Nothing from 2026.

Martha Pfeiffer

On Mon, Jun 1, 2026 at 7:25 AM Dana Williams <dwilliams@vtecostudies.org>
wrote:

> I haven't heard anything from Rodrigo but I've been having issues with the
> site being down or getting hung up as well. It's working a little better
> for me today but I'll reach out to eButterfly if the issues keep happening.
>
> Best,
> Dana
>
[...]

Re: e-butterfly

Dana Williams — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 07:25:06 -0400

I haven't heard anything from Rodrigo but I've been having issues with the
site being down or getting hung up as well. It's working a little better
for me today but I'll reach out to eButterfly if the issues keep happening.

Best,
Dana

Dana Williams
*Community Science Coordinator*

[image: vtecostudies.org] <http://vtecostudies.org>
Mail: PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055
Visit us: 20 Palmer Court, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 649-1431 ext. 223
vtecostudies.org [...]

e-butterfly

Kevin Hemeon — Sun, 31 May 2026 18:45:57 -0400

Are they working on the site? The last couple of days things have been wonky. Is anyone else having trouble? Especially with the identify section. Kevin
Sent from my iPhone

Re: Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

Kevin Hemeon — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:52:35 -0400

Full message available at: Re: Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

Re: Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

Dana Williams — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:26:36 -0400

Hi Jack,

This is a great question! Your observation is appearing
<https://val.vtecostudies.org/gbif-explorer/?entity=o_6318787305&siteName=vtButterflies&view=table&gbif-year=2023%2C2027&geometry=POLYGON%28%28-73.24955229320803+43.41673870439518%2C-73.24955251550534+43.37507284648266%2C-73.18705210181923+43.37508981753199%2C-73.18700903901286+43.41675596549729%2C-73.24955229320803+43.41673870439518%29%29&lat=43.40008329501726&lon=-73.22454193668209&zoom=12&year=2023%2C2027>in
the GBIF list for the block but isn't making it onto that Block Mapper
List. It looks like the checklist
<https://www.e-butterfly.org/ebapp/en/checklists/view/155026?observation_id=661156>
is missing some information like start time and duration. This might be
causing the Block Mapper List to reject the observation? I would try
updating the information (I usually put 1 minute for incidental
observations) and we can see if that helps the observation appear. The
Block Mapper List is updated every morning, so we would see the change
tomorrow. [...]

Week 23: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:06:22 -0400

This week has been the beginning of Skipper season in Vermont. Over the
next few weeks, we'll be refreshing our memories on this hard to ID group.
One of these two similar looking butterflies will be out soon if they're
not already!

*Which of the following photos shows a Northern Broken-dash? *
[image: Week 23 Butterfly Quiz.png]
*Click here
<https://www.canva.com/design/DAHLFGzBfQo/V6PfTRLHk_mPLuXAqy7Q-A/view?utm_content=DAHLFGzBfQo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h27f0419725>
to answer the quiz! * [...]

Observation Not Appearing in VBA2 Block Mapper Tool

JACK GLADE — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:45:47 -0400

I was poking around in the data of my Wells-3 adopted block today. I happened to notice that a Wild Indigo Duskywing observation I had made on May 19 -- and have posted to both eButterfly and iNaturalist -- does NOT appear in the Species List in the Last Observed column. (The Last Observed date shown for Wild Indigo Duskywing is 9/2/2024.) [...]

Re: On Names, Books, and Butterflies

Rick Borchelt — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:39:25 -0400

The good news about Rick Cech's Butterflies of the East Coast is that it is
now available in Kindle edition for about $20 buck (the hardcover "new" --
as in still in stock somewhere) is $90. Now I know that Kindle is a poor
substitute generally for an in-your-hand field guide (although I do take
some field guides into the field on an iPad in digital form), but it's
great study material and the book, after all, a study guide not a field
guide. There are also used copies in the $40 range. I have seen "new"
softcover copies going [...]

Re: On Names, Books, and Butterflies

martha pfeiffer — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:36:00 -0400

Thanks, Bryan! I use kate Taylor's Butterflies of Vermont and find the
host plant info invaluable.
I go into the field and leave the expert ID's to the experts!

Martha Pfeiffer

On Fri, May 29, 2026 at 10:14 AM Bryan Pfeiffer <bryan@bryanpfeiffer.com>
wrote:

> Ruth, Martha, and other VTLEPSters,
>
> First, it’s great that you’re seeking field guides — actual books — rather
> than apps for learning more about butterflies. For genuine learning in
> nature, apps are like movies: the book is better.
>
> Next, please don’t sweat too much the finer points of tiger swallowtails,
> [...]

On Names, Books, and Butterflies

Bryan Pfeiffer — Fri, 29 May 2026 10:10:51 -0400

Ruth, Martha, and other VTLEPSters,

First, it’s great that you’re seeking field guides — actual books — rather than apps for learning more about butterflies. For genuine learning in nature, apps are like movies: the book is better.

Next, please don’t sweat too much the finer points of tiger swallowtails, crescents, and azures. Yeah, some of our most common butterflies can be ID challenges. Birders aren’t used to this. It’s like looking at a chickadee or waxwing or wren — and not being entirely sure which species you’ve got. Sure, you’ll work those out in time. But for now I [...]

Updated ID source

Harry Pavulaan — Fri, 29 May 2026 01:09:55 +0000

All:

In my own experience, the updated ButterfliesofAmerica.com website is, by far, the most updated source for ID's and taxonomic information. INaturalist is good, but most ID's are confirmed and based on "community" input (votes, etc.) which, in many cases is entirely inadequate. I only use iNat to look at photos and make my own determinations. [...]

Re: VTLEPS Digest - 22 May 2026 (#2026-71)

martha pfeiffer — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:40:28 -0400

Somewhere in Kent;s webinar on habitats he mentions the book /guide that he
uses. Don't remember the name, but if you listen to his talk perhaps you
can zero in on his discussion.

martha

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 3:56 PM Ruth Stewart <
00000ca6c1d461b1-dmarc-request@list.uvm.edu> wrote:

> Thank you, Harry, for this. I'm wondering what up-to-date butterfly guide
> you might recommend for those of us still using the tried and true PAPER
> guides and trying to ID things ourselves. Ruth
>
> On 05/27/2026 2:11 PM EDT Harry Pavulaan <harrypav@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> This mainly addresses Dana [...]

Re: VTLEPS Digest - 22 May 2026 (#2026-71)

Rick Borchelt — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:28:59 -0400

I think the new (last year) guide to Butterflies of North Carolina, South
Carolina, Virginia and Georgia is the most up to date taxonomically, but of
course it lacks a number of New England taxa. Butterflies of Pennsylvania
(2017), co-authored by one of Harry's close collaborators, David Wright,
probably comes next and matches VT butterflies a little better. I'm not
aware of any other guides recent or in prep. None of the national guides
are up to date. I haven't seen deMaynadier et al's 2023 Butterflies of
Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces but I suspect Harry has. [...]

Re: VTLEPS Digest - 22 May 2026 (#2026-71)

Ruth Stewart — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:55:52 -0400

Thank you, Harry, for this. I'm wondering what up-to-date butterfly guide you might recommend for those of us still using the tried and true PAPER guides and trying to ID things ourselves. Ruth

> On 05/27/2026 2:11 PM EDT Harry Pavulaan <harrypav@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> This mainly addresses Dana Williams' and Ruth Stewart's questions:
>
> Glassberg and NABA are, sorry to say, HORRIBLY outdated for taxonomy. The NABA list is something like 25 years old with only additions of Mexican species entering the US and Glassberg's named species - of course. Glassberg does not accept any of the [...]

Re: VTLEPS Digest - 22 May 2026 (#2026-71)

Harry Pavulaan — Wed, 27 May 2026 18:11:33 +0000

This mainly addresses Dana Williams' and Ruth Stewart's questions:

Glassberg and NABA are, sorry to say, HORRIBLY outdated for taxonomy. The NABA list is something like 25 years old with only additions of Mexican species entering the US and Glassberg's named species - of course. Glassberg does not accept any of the recent Celastrina species described and named due to his personal opinions which go against the entire Lepidopterist community. Glassberg just calls them all "C. ladon" which is an outdated concept. We now use the new ButterfliesofAmerica.com list, which is replacing the Pelham Catalogue. [...]

Join Global Butterfly Week (May 30 to June 7, 2026) and collect data for the Vermont Atlas too!

Kent McFarland — Tue, 26 May 2026 11:42:05 -0400

Mark your calendars. The first ever Global Butterfly Week will take place
from May 30 to June 7, 2026, uniting individuals and organizations across
every continent in a shared effort to observe and record butterflies. In
collaboration across the globe, this first edition of Global Butterfly Week
invites everyone to step outside in nature, your local park or even your
garden, look carefully for butterflies, and report what they find to their
participatory science platform of choice. [...]

Vermont Atlas needs to take these into consideration

Harry Pavulaan — Sat, 23 May 2026 00:04:55 +0000

As for Tiger Swallowtails, P. qlaucus is a rare straggler into northern New England, in late summer. Pupa cannot withstand the cold winter temps of Vermont. The primary summer species in Vermont would be P. solstitius. P. bjorkae might be present in extreme southern VT, but it is difficult to differentiate from P. Canadensis. [...]

Re: Week 21: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:37:29 -0400

*The butterfly on the bottom is a Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius).* The
butterfly at the top is the similar looking Hobomok Skipper (*Lon or Poanes
hobomok*).

Both of these skippers are small and orangish with yellow bands making them
hard to tell apart on the wing. But a closer look at a few features makes
them easier to distinguish. The first features to look at are the bands on
the underside hind wing. The Peck's Skipper has two very wide,
cream-colored bands - one closer to the head (basal band) and the other
more towards the wing edge (PM band). [...]

Week 22: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:26:44 -0400

On Monday, VCE's Second Butterfly Atlas crew went out to Black Mountain in
Dummerston to try to find a rare butterfly, the Frosted Elfin. Although we
saw Mourning Cloaks, Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, and Juvenal's Duskywings,
we didn't find our Elfin. If you're in a sandy, dry Pine Barrens habitat
soon, keep an eye out for this hard to find butterfly. [...]

2026 Vermont Moth Blitz Week

Kent McFarland — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:22:53 -0400

You have 56 days to join the 9th annual (well it has been more than 9 but I
don't know when we really started....) 2026 Vermont Moth Blitz. It is up
now and ready to roll! Check out the Journal and see the results from the
past too. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vermont-moth-blitz-2026

Kent

Re: Lep questions...

Dana Williams — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:03:59 -0400

Hi Ruth,

Kent mentioned that the review crew is still going through and
reidentifying the tigers from the 1st and 2nd Atlas so yours may not be
done yet. Given where you are, there might be both, but they would need to
be checked.

I'm not sure of abbreviations for common names but I think we can usually
tell what you're saying! For scientific, you usually abbreviate the genus
aka *Celastrina lucia* --> *C. lucia*. [...]

Admin your account

Kent McFarland — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:06:08 -0400

Hi VTLEPS users,
Just a reminder that if you want to look back at message, login and change
your settings (how you get the emails, change email address, etc); just
visit the site here: https://list.uvm.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=VTLEPS

Thanks
Kent

Re: Lep questions...

martha pfeiffer — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:21:28 -0400

What I did last year regarding tiger swallowtails, the first ones coming up
until about July 1st or Canadian. From then on I used Eastern or tiger
swell complex

please use my new email address:
mjbpfeiffer@gmail.com

Martha

On Wed, May 20, 2026, 4:08 PM Ruth Stewart <
00000ca6c1d461b1-dmarc-request@list.uvm.edu> wrote:

> I am finally hunkering down to butterflying! After the superb workshop on
> Swallowtails I have these questions.
>
> In looking at the checklists of all my priority and non-p blocks, every
> one of them has both Eastern TSwallowtail AND Canadian TS listed. Can this
> be accurate? [...]

Lep questions...

Ruth Stewart — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:08:39 -0400

I am finally hunkering down to butterflying! After the superb workshop on Swallowtails I have these questions.

In looking at the checklists of all my priority and non-p blocks, every one of them has both Eastern TSwallowtail AND Canadian TS listed. Can this be accurate? Have all the vouchers been reviewed to confirm this? Were vouchers even submitted for each? At the time, I think I called everything Eastern SW. [...]

Re: monarchs

Dana Williams — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:25:59 -0400

We saw a monarch yesterday too!

You can share a direct link to the checklist by going to the checklist
page, copying the website url and then sending it in an email here.

For instance, here is ours from yesterday:
https://www.e-butterfly.org/ebapp/en/checklists/view/154974.

Dana Williams
*Community Science Coordinator*

[image: vtecostudies.org] <http://vtecostudies.org>
Mail: PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055
Visit us: 20 Palmer Court, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 649-1431 ext. 223
vtecostudies.org [...]

Re: monarchs

Bernard Paquette — Wed, 20 May 2026 11:15:38 +0000

Hello Ruth,Congratulations on the Monarch sighting! There are only two (adult) sightings posted this year on iNaturalist. The earliest on iNat is May 17.
Below is the phenology or seasonality chart for the Monarch. The first chart is from iNaturalist, the second chart is from the Vermont Atlas of Life. Note, they include caterpillars and adults.
Will you be posting it on iNaturalist or e-butterfly? Read more at https://vtbugeyed.blogspot.com/2026/04/jericho-vermont-butterflies-species-not.html
Regarding how to share on VTLEPS, I don't know if you can add a photo to the VTLeps distribution, but I think you could add a link to an iNaturalist post.
Again, [...]

monarchs

Ruth Stewart — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:30:35 -0400

Was surprised to see 2 monarchs in yard today nectaring on lilac flowers (not much else in bloom yet.) Is this early?

How do I share a checklist to VTLEPS?

Ruth Stewart
E. Dorset, VT

Re: Week 20: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:35:32 -0400

*The butterfly at the top is the Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)! *The
butterfly at the bottom is a Northern Azure (*Celastrina lucia*).

From the underside, the most obvious difference between the two species is
the pattern of dots across the fore and hind wings. In the Silvery Blue,
these dots are well-defined black spots and white circles. They lack any
patterning along the wing border and fresh individuals will have white-grey
fringes on their wings.
The Northern Azure has less well-defined dark gray-brown spots to streaks
across the wings. Along their wing border, they have a row of brown
chevrons [...]

Butterfly Blitz Events with VCE

Dana Williams — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:46:10 -0400

Looking for events this summer to brush up on your butterfly skills and
meet other butterfly enthusiasts? Join the Vermont Center for Ecostudies'
Second Vermont Butterfly Atlas Team and local partners across the state for
these fun in person events!

*Trainings*
Learn how to identify local butterfly species, how to use community science
tools like eButterfly and iNaturalist, get tips and tricks on photographing
butterflies and more. These workshops will be both inside and outside and
will include a lunch break. No experience necessary—just an interest in
butterflies! [...]

Re: Week 21: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:25:03 -0400

*Whoops, sorry! Here's the correct link
<https://canva.link/7r1rcew1yan2cs1> to answer the quiz!*

Dana Williams
*Community Science Coordinator*

[image: vtecostudies.org] <http://vtecostudies.org>
Mail: PO Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055
Visit us: 20 Palmer Court, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 649-1431 ext. 223
vtecostudies.org

On Fri, May 15, 2026 at 2:23 PM Dana Williams <dwilliams@vtecostudies.org>
wrote:

> We're already approaching June in the butterfly season and with June come
> the Skippers. These two commonly seen skippers will be out in Vermont in
> early June so now is a great time to brush up on their ID!
>
> *Which p**hoto shows [...]

Week 21: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:23:36 -0400

We're already approaching June in the butterfly season and with June come
the Skippers. These two commonly seen skippers will be out in Vermont in
early June so now is a great time to brush up on their ID!

*Which p**hoto shows a Peck's Skipper?*

[image: Screenshot 2026-05-15 at 2.09.40 PM.png]

*Cl**ick **here <https://canva.link/i66wzv5dfvga3ee> to answer the quiz! * [...]

Re: Quick Start Video Guide for Block Mapper Tool

Bernard Paquette — Fri, 8 May 2026 20:39:30 +0000

Hi Kent, is the audio working for you on the video you posted? It is not on my computer.

Laugh, Dream, Try, and Do Good

- Bernie, Public Relations Mgr for Insects; Promoting the joy of observing Insects Project Manager, Vermont Entomology Academy: Inspiring Curiosity Through Insects and Nature Education [...]

Re: Week 19: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 8 May 2026 15:17:27 -0400

*According to Bryan Pfeiffer, the butterfly at the top – one of the Blues
(Polyommatini) – is more likely to sit still long enough to take a photo
than a Sulphur (Coliadinae, bottom). *

Blues in Vermont are prevalent; they occur across the state and at least
one species will be out at any point during the butterfly season from April
to the end of September. Aside from being cooperative, the Blues also make
charismatic photo subjects. Their black eyes are proportionally larger
compared to their head than other butterflies and are often outlined in a
white fringe. Blues are [...]

Quick Start Video Guide for Block Mapper Tool

Kent McFarland — Fri, 8 May 2026 13:55:08 -0400

I made a quick tutorial video for the Block Mapper Tool. Some users were
having trouble seeing how to view and filter data, so check this out if you
are one of them!
https://youtu.be/4tt9q_GPMJQ?si=ZEvRdvuVi_Bm12Un

Kent

Week 20: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Fri, 8 May 2026 13:54:47 -0400

In the coming weeks, you’re likely to see a new Blue enter the scene. While
the Blues (Celastrina) are closely related with unresolved species
differences, the other Blues outside of this genus can be easier to
discern.

*Which of the following photos shows the mid-May peak species, Silvery
Blue? *
[image: Screenshot 2026-05-08 at 1.53.22 PM.png]
*Click here <https://canva.link/etnibvr110wnu7b> to answer the quiz!* [...]

New and improved priority block checklist tool

Kent McFarland — Fri, 8 May 2026 13:12:07 -0400

Hi folks,
Based on a few suggestions, I have some neat additions to the Priority
Block Checklist Tool at the VBA2 that I made this morning. Here is what's
new:
1. Filter by number of species found. Now you can simplify the map by
checking on and off the box next to the category of block. Want to see
blocks that have no species found? Just check that off and leave the others
blank and presto, a map showing just those blocks and the others grayed
out.
2. Download a checklist of species found and not found on a block [...]

Re: Week 18: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Mon, 4 May 2026 12:29:47 -0400

This picture shows the Eastern Comma’s black summer morph.

Some species of butterflies adapt to different seasonal conditions by
increasing the amount of black (melanization) on their wings. This is a
called seasonal polyphenism, where a single gene can produce different
visible effects (phenotypes) depending on the season. For insects who
produce multiple generations in a single year, this strategy can help them
improve camouflage or thermoregulation. But the Comma color morph is also
related to reproduction. In the Eastern Comma, the black summer morph
matures quickly and jumps straight into laying eggs, while the red
spring/fall morph puts off [...]

Week 19: Butterfly ID Quiz

Dana Williams — Mon, 4 May 2026 11:39:30 -0400

Last week, we had special guest Bryan Pfeiffer join us for Lunch & Learn
Butterflies to teach us tips for photographing butterflies. Along with
great advice on how to best use your phone or camera, he also gave us some
tips on advantageous butterfly behavior.

*According to Bryan Pfeiffer, which butterfly family is more likely to sit
still for a photograph? *
*(Haven't seen Bryan's talk? Watch it here
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X5WO-FRduk&feature=youtu.be>!) *
[image: Screenshot 2026-05-04 at 11.30.47 AM.png] [...]

Re: updated priority block tool

Kent McFarland — Mon, 4 May 2026 11:35:46 -0400

Great! It is now embedded into the atlas project website too for ease of
finding it.
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vermont-butterfly-atlas/block-checklist-tool/

Re: updated priority block tool

Doug Burnham — Mon, 4 May 2026 11:35:09 -0400

Hi Kent,

Great job! This makes checking block status quick and easy.

Thanks,
Mary B>

On Mon, May 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM Kent McFarland <kmcfarland@vtecostudies.org>
wrote:

> Hi folks, I just updated my priority block tool online at
> https://vtatlasoflife.org/val_vba/vba2_species_map.html
> You can mouse over blocks to see total species found.
> Click on a block and on the right side you get count, species list
> followed by genus only list and the date the data was last updated.
> It is a handy little tool I think for exploring priority blocks
> Enjoy
> Kent
>
> ____________________________
[...]

updated priority block tool

Kent McFarland — Mon, 4 May 2026 11:16:01 -0400

Hi folks, I just updated my priority block tool online at
https://vtatlasoflife.org/val_vba/vba2_species_map.html
You can mouse over blocks to see total species found.
Click on a block and on the right side you get count, species list followed
by genus only list and the date the data was last updated.
It is a handy little tool I think for exploring priority blocks
Enjoy
Kent