Butterflies of the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area

Identifying Butterflies --- As with birds, butterflies can be identified by judging its size compared to a familiar species. Is the unknown butterfly as large as a Monarch or Swallowtail, medium sized like a Painted Lady, or small like a Skipper or Blue. Secondly, what are the most obvious colours and patterns on the specimen. Finally, can you notice any special features - like tail features, eye spots, wing shape or stigmata. (scent scales on forewing of some Hairstreak's or Skippers) From this data, you can eliminate species to narrow down your quarry. It's best to learn to identify butterfly groups, to make identifying new finds easier.

Watching Butterflies --- Butterflies are creatures of calm, sunny days, and are seen in our area from about March to October. To find butterflies, start in a field or prairie with a good assortment of wildflowers, with at least some in bloom. Make sure to walk slowly along the edge or on a path and visit concentrations of flowering plants. Here is where you have a good chance to encounter butterflies. Make sure to approach in a slow and steady manner, remembering it is tough to out sprint a fleeing butterfly. Be sure to visit human-altered sites as well, like railroad crossings, power line cuts and waste places (old fields). Different seasons of the year will yield different types and concentrations of butterflies. Learn to visit different habitats and plant communities at numerous times of the year to see the greatest diversity of species.

The best way to capture a butterfly is in a picture or sketch. To photograph butterflies, it's best to use a tripod and a camera with a telephoto lens. To get a real close up look, use a butterfly net and carry along a plastic jar. Capture the butterfly in your net and transfer it carefully to your jar to get a good look, before releasing the butterfly again. Always remember to handle butterflies with great care because they are fragile!

Note... the picture on the right is not of a Monarch...it's a Viceroy. A species that mimics the toxic, milkweed-eating Monarch...this is an adaptation to combat predation. Mouse over each picture to reveal the identity of each butterfly.

On Saturday, July 28, the Friends of Hullett are offering another Butterfly Walk, starting at 10 am.  We will meet at the office, at 41378 Hydro Line Rd to have a short presentation regarding possible species we could encounter on the hike.  From there we will ‘fly away’ to one of Hullett’s top-notch butterfly habitats and enjoy an interpretive hike and view a spectacular array of butterflies.