The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 9: Red Admirals in the Nettle

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 9: Red Admirals in the Nettle

Dear Wood Folk, Red admirals (vanessa atalanta) are known for being social butterflies. These painted lady relatives are one of the friendliest and most common butterfly species in the world. Their main host plants belong to the nettle family (urticaceae). Nettles are also global, though some nettles may not seem as friendly as their butterfly … [Read more…]

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 8: NJ Tea with Azures and Endangered Mottled Duskywings

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 8: NJ Tea with Azures and Endangered Mottled Duskywings

Dear Wood Folk, The northern azure (celastrina lucia) is also known as the “northern spring azure” and “lucia azure”. Three recognized morphs plus numerous hybrids exist. And they’re all difficult to distinguish. However, it is the most common azure in most of Ontario, and the only species found to the north. Before I heard this, … [Read more…]

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 7: Eyed Brown in the Sedges

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 7: Eyed Brown in the Sedges

Dear Wood Folk, In cottage country Ontario, the eyed brown (lethe eurydice) flutters around from the end of spring into September. They’re usually found in wetland areas like fens and cattail marshes. They breed once in the summer and the new generation overwinters here in their larval stage. These caterpillars feed on sedges. “Sedges have … [Read more…]

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 5: Hummingbird Moths and Honeysuckle

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 5: Hummingbird Moths and Honeysuckle

Dear Wood Folk, Have you seen a strange little hummingbird? Unlike most other moths, hummingbird moths (genus Hemaris) fly and feed during the daytime, mimicking their namesake or an extra large bee. In Britain, they are called bee hawk-moths. They’re not just hummingbird-like in their hours and nectar choices, but also in appearance, fast wingbeats and … [Read more…]

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 4: First Spring Butterflies the Mourning Cloak & Compton Tortoiseshell

The Wood Folk Diaries: Volume 3, Chapter 4: Springs First Butterflies the Mourning Cloak & Compton Tortoiseshell

Dear Wood Folk, I went back and forth a little on whether to cover our first two spring butterflies, because they aren’t exactly star pollinators. Instead of flower nectar, these two primarily eat sap, the nectar of trees. It can be quite the surprise to see butterflies fluttering around so early, when nary a flower … [Read more…]