Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Friday, June 16, 2006
Baltimore Checkerspot
You don't very often see butterfly stories in the newspaper. Last Tuesday, the Washington Post Metro section had a story about Maryland's State Insect - the Baltimore Checkerspot.
......Gosh, does Virginia even have a state insect? Why, yes it does......
Anyway, it seems the Baltimore Checkerspot is declining in number in Maryland, and butterfly enthusiasts are searching out those that remain. They believe they've located a previously unknown colony in Montgomery County. And this wasn't part of the newspaper story, but an effort is being made to establish the Baltimore Checkerspot at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, here in northern Virginia. While I've seen Silvery Checkerspots in the garden at home, the only place I've seen a Baltimore Checkerspot is in a field guide. I need to re-up my membership at Meadowlark and get out looking.
4 Comments:
I just happen to be the lady who's been raising the Checkerspots for release there. They were released starting June 11, so by now, they have gone to butterfly heaven. But, I'm raising some more hopefully to release next year. Butterfly Conservation Projects take a long time.
I do walks at Meadowlark every Sunday at 3 PM until the end of September.
Also, if you want to see pictures of the release:
http://users.sitestar.net/butterfly
/images/Checkerspot_release_VA.html
Mona Miller
Oooohhh, cool! I never made it out to look for them, alas.
Thanks for the link. I was going to post one to some pictures of Baltimore Checkerspots in Garrett Co., MD, but I see from the VA-MD-DE Bugs listserv archive that you've already seen them.
For those who haven't, check out these wonderful pictures:
Bill Hubick Photography
Yes, I saw Bill's pictures, they were stunning, that is one reason I love raising this butterfly. But, I loved the one of the muddy feet. Tomorrow, so far I have one Black Swallowtail to release. I usually release butterflies on my walks at Meadowlark, if I have them. I grow several species of butterflies and moths for conservation.
Any questions, email me at runnymede12000@yahoo.com
Mona Miller a.k.a.
The Butterfly Lady of Herndon, VA
Oops, for those of you who are wondering where Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is located, here the url:
http://www.nvrpa.org/meadowlark.html
See ya there.
Mona
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