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1965
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Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
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183
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Limenitis archippus (Cramer) Only two sightings of single individuals: July 15 and July 30.
Lycaena phlaeus americana Harris A species which appears to be more common in the early part of the summer. Observed throughout July in small numbers, the last sighting on August 3(1).
Literature Cited
Brower, A. E., & R. M. Payne, 1956. Check List of Maine Butterflies. Maine Field
Naturalist, 12: 42^44. Fernald, M. L., 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany (eighth edition). American Book
Company, New York. Gleason, H. A., 1937. A Botanical Report on Kent's Island. Bulletin No. 3, The
Bowdoin Scientific Station: 27-29. Gobeil, R. E., 1962. Partial list of butterflies found in the Biddeford Region.
Maine Field Naturalist, 18: 147. Potter, D., 1937. Plants Found Growing on Kent's Island 1935-36. Bulletin No. 3,
The Bowdoin Scientific Station: 19--26.
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LEPIDOPTERA ACTIVE IN LATE DECEMBER IN PENNSYLVANIA
During Christmas week, 1964, a tropical air mass worked northward up the Atlantic coast, penetrating the Philadelphia area on Christmas Eve after two days of rain, fog, and temperatures in the high forties. As had happened farther south, temperature records toppled in the wake of the warm front. The mercury climbed steadily the night of the 24th and, under mostly sunny skies, a 93-year record high of 68° F. was registered on Christmas day. This unseasonable weather brought out a male Nymphalis antiopa (L.) (Nymphalidae) which the writer captured along Wissahickon Creek, amid equally unprecedented dandelion, moss pink, chickweed, and Senecio blossoms.
The following day was cloudy with temperatures again at record levels, including an official high of 68° at the Weather Bureau, and an unofficial 71° at the writer's home. Although no butterflies were seen, a male Eupsilia sidus Gn. (Noctuidae) came to light in the garden with a temperature of 62° F. at 9:30 P.M. Dec. 26. E. sidus is a well-known hiber-nator and is usually the first species to fly in the spring; my earliest record is March 10.
Three pupae of Colias eurtjtheme Bdv. which were outdoors in a ventilated container showed traces of orange pigment when examined on Dec. 26. Brought indoors, all three eclosed as males on Dec. 28. Nineteen other pupae in the same lot did not show signs of development and
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184
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Grey: Short Boforia flight
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Vol. 19, no. 3
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were allowed to remain outdoors. It would seem that, given a few more days of springlike weather, even species which overwinter in the pupa might have become active.
As a postscript, the freak warm spell came to an end with the passage of a northeast storm and attendant cold front, December 27.
Arthur M. Shapiro, 7636 Thouron Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
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THE FLIGHT PERIOD OF BOLORIA EUNOMIA
L. P. Grey
Route 1, Box 216, Lincoln, Maine
Observations recently published in this Journal by Neilsen (1964, 18: 233-237) remind me of a curiosity which, strangely, seems to have escaped formal notice in any mentions I have seen. The abbreviated flight period of Boloria eunomia (Esper) is something collectors should know about and reckon with when exploring for this species; probably it is the short adult life span full as much as the intense localization which slows discoveries.
Mr. Neilsen noted specimens alighting to dry their freshly hatched wings. This had a significance which he may appreciate better in future years after he learns just how lucky he was in his described mid-June bog forays in Michigan. Two or three days later or earlier he might well have collected in the same places with never a sight of this fine bolorian.
Mr. Henry Hensel, of Edmundston, New Brunswick, really should be writing this note, rather than me, since it is his fieldwork which provides definitive knowledge of this aspect of eunomia. On reflection, it will appear that most of the previous captures of "dawsoni" (the form occurring along the Eastern U. S.-Canadian border region) have been of the one-shot, visit sort. Whereas in adjacent Temiscouata County, Quebec, a few miles from Hensel's home, there are magnificent bogs which have provided him with a rare opportunity: perhaps he is the only person who has observed this subspecies in thriving colonies over a period of years.
The ecology and behavior of species are difficult to learn from tabulations. Mr. Neilsen's accounts are unusually graphic, a model of description made vivid by the personal touch. I shall attempt to make my point in the same manner, by narration from experience, viz.:
On my first visit to Hensel's bog he warned me that it was essential to be there on "the day," so to speak, but when he reported eunomia
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