NEWSLETTER
of the

Wisconsin Entomological

Society

Volume 18, Number 1

Les Ferge, Editor

March 1991

NEXT MEETING ON MARCH 16

The next meeting of the Wisconsin Entomological Society will be at the
home of Les and Carol Ferge, 7119 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI, on Saturday,
March 16, beginning at 1:00 PM. From Highway 12 (West Beltline), exit at
University Avenue, turning east into Middleton. Go one block, turning right
(south) on Parmenter Street at the four-way stop. Hubbard Avenue is two
blocks south of University Avenue, and can also be reached via Park Street
when coming from Madison.

An informal get-together is planned, with the collection of Wisconsin
Lepidoptera available for viewing. Anyone having specimens they wish to
identify is encouraged to bring them. No formal talks are planned, but anyone
is welcome to give a short presentation. Lunch and refreshments will be
available throughout the afternoon.

1991 OFFICERS

The results of the election of officers at the Annual Meeting in November
are as follows: Waldemar Kmentt (President), Phil Pellitteri (Vice-President),

Carol Ferge (Secretary), and Bob Borth (Treasurer).

COLD-BLOODED ANIMAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN MADISON

A conference entitled "The Conservation of Wisconsin's Cold-Blooded
Animals " will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sessions will be in rooms 2650 and 3650 of the Humanities Building, which is
located at the corner of University Avenue and Park Street on the U. W.

Madison campus. Five presentations dealing with insects are scheduled in room
2650 beginning at 1:30 p.m., covering dragonflies and aquatic insects, beetles
and Lepidoptera. Speakers include Tim Vogt, Amy Wolf, Dan Young, William
Hilsenhoff and Les Ferge. Topics of other sessions include Amphibians and
Reptiles, Non-Game Fish, and Invertebrates. Dr. Stanley A. Temple, Department
of Wildlife Ecology, U. W. Madison, will give the keynote address, entitled
"Wisconsin's Biodiversity: Its More Than Fur and Feathers." This conference

is open to the public, and promises to give an exciting overview of the
diversity of small or inconspicuous creatures found in the state, and some of
the threats to their continued existence.

The Newsletter of the Wisconsin Entomological Society is published three times a year, at irregular
intervals. It is provided to encourage and facilitate the exchange of information by the membership, and
to keep the members informed of the activities of the organization. Members are strongly encouraged to
contribute items for inclusion in the Newsletter. Please send all news items, notes, new or interesting
insect records, season summaries, research requests etc. to the editor: Les Ferge, 7119 Hubbard Avenue,

Middleton, WI 53562.

1990 PHOTO SALON

The winning entry was " Catocala amatrix at Bait" by Bob Borth. The
runners-up were " Prepona feeding on Fruit" by Bob Borth (below, left); "Great
Spangled Fritillary" by Tom Rocheleau (below, right); "Owl Butterfly" by Bob
Borth (next page, left); and "Karner Blue on Sunflower" by Les Ferge (next
page, right).

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1990 WISCONSIN LEPIDOPTERA SEASON SUMMARY Les Ferge

CONTRIBUTORS: Bob Borth (BB), Cathy Bleser (CB), George Balogh (GB), Steven

Bransky (SB), Tom Barina (TB), Carol Ferge (CF), Les Ferge (LF), Jeff Javorek
(JJ), Hugo Rons Jr. (HK), Bob Leary (BL), Karl Legler (KL), Ron Leuschner
(RL), Mo Nielsen (MN), Jim Parkinson (JP), MaryAlexis Pfutzenreuter (MP), Ann
Swengel (AS), Clark Schultz (CS), Scott Swengel (SS), Amy Wolf (AW), Jim
Wiker (JW) , Dave Winter (DW).

The 1990 season was marked by erratic weather conditions, particularly
in the spring and fall. Freezing conditions and snowfall occurred in some
areas in mid-May, and may possibly be responsible for the low numbers of some
butterflies, such as Lycaeides sp., whose larvae are active at that time.

The season was quite wet, with rain nearly every weekend. Despite the often
impaired field opportunities, 20 contributors provided a wealth of data,
covering all parts of Wisconsin.

The state was invaded by Red Admirals ( Vanessa atalanta ) during late
April, following the onset of well above normal temperatures resulting from a
strong and steady south wind. Sightings as far north as Outagamie, Brown and
Lincoln Counties were reported 23-27 April, and hundreds were seen in several
localities, with at least two broods produced (LF, HK, BL, KL, MP, CS, SS,

AS, JW). Small populations of the Checkered White ( Pontia protodice ) are
persisting in the southwestern quarter of the state. Northeastern Wisconsin
was plagued with a Forest Tent Caterpillar ( Malacosoma disstria) outbreak,
with thousands of moths coming to lights in early July in Marinette and
Oconto Counties, and extreme abundance in Outagamie County (LF, HK, MN).
Extensive trapping by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture uncovered Gypsy
Moth ( Lymantria dispar) populations in 29 eastern counties, with record
numbers east of Lake Winnebago from Door through Sheboygan Counties.

A number of migrant species were recorded. The Little Sulphur ( Eurema
lisa ) , not seen last year, arrived in Grant and Dane Counties by 11 June, and
was noted in Crawford, Monroe, Sauk and Trempealeau Counties through 10
September (GB, LF, KL, JP, AS). The Dainty Sulphur ( Nathalis iole ) was seen
in Crawford and Sauk Counties (JP, SS). The Variegated Fritillary .( Euptoieta
claudia ) was found north to Jackson and Eau Claire Counties in July and
August (LF, KL, SS, AS). The Buckeye ( Junonia coenia ) occurred from 2 May-30
September, extending north to Outagamie and Marathon Counties, establishing a
large breeding colony in Outagamie County (HK, KL, JP, AS, CS).

New county records are indicated by the county name in CAPITAL letters.

BUTTERFLIES : HESPERIIDAE - Achalarus lyciadeS / 16 June, GRANT Co, 3rd

state record (JP). Erynnis martialis , 27 May, Burnett Co (JP). Erynnis
persius , 27 May, Burnett Co (JP); 28 May, MENOMINEE Co (HK); 4 June, CLARK Co
(LF); 6 June, Monroe Co (AS). Pyrqus communis , 10 Sept, Crawford Co (JP).
Pholisora catullus , 2 Aug, Brown Co (MP); 16-29 July, 26 Aug, Winnebago Co
(HK, CS). Thymelicus lineola , 19 June-9 July, BROWN Co (MP); 14 July, ONEIDA
Co (CF, LF). Hesperia ottoe , 4 July-8 Aug, Grant Co (JP); Green, Sauk Cos
(BB, TB, AS). Hesperia leonardus , 9 Aug, CLARK, Eau Claire, Jackson Cos,
slight intergradation towards ssp. pawnee (LF); 5 Aug- 2 Sept, Jackson Co
(KL); 11 Aug-1 Sept, Sauk Co (AS); 13 Aug, Marinette Co (MN); 17 Aug, GREEN
LAKE Co (BL); 3 Sept, Menominee Co (HK); 8 Sept, Trempealeau Co (LF).

Hesperia metea , 2 May, Sauk (AS); 6 May, MONROE (LF); 27 May, Douglas (JP);

28 May, EAU CLAIRE Co (LF) . Polites oriqenes , 3 July-25 Aug, Sauk Co (AS);

20 July, Waukesha Co (LF). Pompeius verna , 23-26 July, DOOR Co (JW). Poanes
massasoit , 6 July, Oconto Co (LF); 10-21 July, Winnebago Co (HK), nectaring
on Asclepias incarnata (CS); 13 July, COLUMBIA Co (KL); 20 July, Outagamie Co
(HK); 22 July, Ozaukee Co (BB, TB); 23 July, Walworth Co (AS). Poanes
viator , 17 July-16 Aug, Outagamie Co, 24 July, CALUMET Co (HK); 18 July-12
Aug, Winnebago Co, on Asclepias incarnata (CS); 22 July, Ozaukee Co (BB, TB) .
Euphyes dion , 12 July, Outagamie Co (HK); 18 July, TREMPEALEAU Co ( sight ~KL);
22 July, Ozaukee Co (BB, TB); 23 July-4 Aug, Door Co (BB, TB, JW). Euphyes
conspicuus , 12-18 July, Outagamie Co; 24 July, CALUMET Co (HK); 22 July,
Ozaukee Co (BB, TB); 23 July, Waukesha Co (AS); 15-22 July, Sauk Co (KL).
Euphyes bimacula , 3 July, Sauk Co (sight-AS). Atrytonopsis hianna , 27 May,
Douglas Co (JP); 28 May, Sauk Co (AS); 4 June, CLARK Co (LF). Amblyscirtes
heqon , 17 June , Marathon Co (JP); 30 May, Forest Co, 13 June, Bayfield Co
(AS). PIERIDAE - Pontia protodice , 11 July, Dane Co, 13 July, Columbia Co
(KL); 15 July, Sauk Co (SS). Eurema lisa , 10-11 June, Grant Co (GB); 11
June, Dane Co (KL); 17 June-10 Sept, Crawford Co (JP); 31 July-23 Aug, Grant,
Monroe, Sauk Cos (AS); 8 Sept, Trempealeau Co (LF). Nathalis iole , 10 Sept,
Crawford Co (JP); 15 Sept, Sauk Co (AS). LYCAENIDAE - Gaeides xanthoides
dione , 2-3 July, Sauk Co (SS, AS); 10 July, Bayfield Co (AS); 18 July,
TREMPEALEAU Co (photo-KL) . Epidemia epixanthe and dorcas , 10 July, Bayfield
Co (photos-AS) . Epidemia helloides , 4 July, Oconto Co (LF); 18 July,
TREMPEALEAU Co (photo-KL).

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Incisalia henrici , 29 Apr, Outagamie Co (HK); 27 May, Burnett Co (JP).

Everes amyntula , 27 May, Burnett, Douglas Cos (JP). Lycaeides idas nabokovi ,
2-6 July, Oconto Co, low numbers observed (CF, LF). Lycaeides melissa
samuelis , 28 May-28 June and 20 July-10 Aug, Adams, Burnett, Clark, Eau
Claire, Green Lake, Jackson, Juneau, MARQUETTE, Monroe, Portage, Waushara,
Wood Cos, small populations (50 or less) in all but three of 34 sites (report
to USF&WS by Cathy Bleser, with data from CB, LF, AS, N. Braker and E.
Epstein). Plebejus saepiolus , 10 July, Bayfield Co (AS). Calephelis
muticum, 18 July, Fond du Lac Co, 15 seen in 30 minutes (EL). Euptoieta
Claudia , 26 June, Milwaukee Co (KL); 3 July-22 Aug, Dane, Grant, Sauk,

Jackson Cos (sight-AS); 9 Aug, Eau Claire Co (LF). Speyeria idalia , 4 July,
Sauk Co, one seen (BB, TB); 4 July-8 Aug, Green Co (AS); 24 July-7 Aug,
Dane/Iowa Co, new site (AS). Clossiana freija , 24 May, DOUGLAS Co, 30 May
FOREST Co (photo-AS); 27 May, Oneida Co (JP). Chari dryas qorqone , 26 May-15
Sept, OUTAGAMIE Co (HK); 24 May- 9 Sept, Winnebago Co, larvae on Ratibida
pinnata and Helianthils sp. (CS); 27 May-26 Aug, Grant, Monroe, Sauk Cos (AS).
Charidryas harrisii , 28 June, Jackson Co (AS); 30 June, Marathon Co (JP); 4
July, Oconto Co (LF) . Phyciodes batesii , 2 July, OCONTO Co (CF, LF).
Polyqonia satyrus , 27 May, Forest Co (photo-KL). Polygon i a faunus , 22 May,

28 Aug, Bayfield Co (AS); 27 May, Douglas Co, 11 July, Marathon Co ( JP) .
Junonia coenia , 2-5 May, Grant, Sauk Cos (SS, AS); 17 June-30 Sept, Crawford,
Marathon Cos (JP); Dane, Sauk Cos (SS, AS, KL); Iowa, Jackson, Rock, Wood Cos
(AS); OUTAGAMIE Co (HK); Winnebago Co (HK, CS). Asterocampa celt is , 19 July,
OUTAGAMIE Co (HK) . Coenonympha tullia inornata , 23 June-4 July, MARINETTE Co
(AW, MN); 28 June, OCONTO Co (AW). Oeneis chryxus strigulosa , 23 May,
BAYFIELD Co ( photo-AS ) ; 27 May, Douglas Co (JP).

MOTHS i SESIIDAE - Albuna fraxini , 14-16 June, Milwaukee Co, at Lesser
Peachtree Borer pheromone (DW). TORTRICIDAE - Acleris minuta , Clepsis
melaleucaria , 17 June, Ozaukee Co (RL). PYRALIDAE - Cr ambus murellus , 11-12
June, Grant Co, on dry prairie (GB). GEOMETRIDAE - Semiothisa pallidata ,
28-29 June 1986 , 27-29 June 1987 , GRANT Co, STATE RECORD, det. D. C. Ferguson
(GB). Econista dislocaria , 11-12 June, GRANT Co, STATE RECORD (GB) .

Dysstroma hersiliata , 17 June, Ozaukee Co (RL). SATURNIIDAE - Eacles
imperialis , 14 July, Green Co (BB, TB) .

Hemileuca maia , 17 June, OZAUKEE Co, larvae feeding on Salix Candida and
Menyanthes trifoliata growing in close proximity, adults emerged 23 Sept (LF,
MN). SPHINGIDAE - Dolba hyloeus , 16 July, MARATHON Co (JJ); 4 August, JACKSON
Co, at Saponaria officinalis flowers (LF). Sphinx chersis , 22 July-10 Aug,
Marathon, more common than usual (JP); 28-31, July, BAYFIELD Co, abundant at
UV light and milkweed flowers (SB). Sphinx canadensis , 28 July, BAYFIELD Co
(SB). Sphinx drupiferarum , 1 June- 2 2 July, Marathon Co (JP); 7-14 July,

Green Co (BB, TB) . Hemaris gracilis , 27 May, Burnett Co (JP). Eumorpha
achemon , 14 July, Green Co (BB, TB) . NOTODONTIDAE - Notodonta scitipennis ,

17 June, OZAUKEE Co (LF). Heterocampa subrotata , 19 June, Green Co (BB, TB) .
ARCTIIDAE - Arctia caja , 28 July-1 Aug, BAYFIELD Co, abundant (SB); 17 Aug,
Vilas Co (JP). Apantesis car lot ta , 26 May, Cycnia inopinatus , 1 June, Green
Co, on dry prairie (BB, TB) . NOCTUIDAE - Macrochi lo bivittata , 4 July,

OCONTO Co; 21 July, KENOSHA Co; 3 Aug, JACKSON Co (LF) . Catocala coelebs , 6
Aug, Door Co (BB, TB) . Catocala serena , 16 Aug, OUTAGAMIE Co; 23-25 Aug,
WINNEBAGO Co (HK) . Catocala palaeogama , 23 Aug, WINNEBAGO Co (HK) . Catocala
nebulosa , 9 Sept, Grant Co (JP). Catocala subnata , 2 Aug-15 Sept; Catocala
luciana , 28 Aug- 14 Sept, OUTAGAMIE Co (HK). Catocala illecta , 3 July,
Richland Co (BB, TB) . Catocala abbreviatella , 3-14 July, Green, Sauk Cos,
larvae on Amorpha canescens 26 May (BB, TB). Catocala nuptialis , 1-7 Sept,
Trempealeau Co (LF, JP). Catocala whitneyi , 3-14 July, Green, Sauk Cos (BB,
TB). Rachiplusia ou , 7-8 Sept, IOWA, KENOSHA Cos (JP). Exyra rolandiana ,

17 June, Ozaukee Co (LF). Cerma cora , 11-12 June, GRANT Co (GB) . Tarachidia
binocula, 14 July, Green Co (BB, TB) . Baqisara qulnare , 14 July, GREEN Co
(BB, TB). Oligia bridghami , 31 July, BAYFIELD Co (SB). Lemmeria digitalis ,
27 Sept, Marathon Co (JP). Parastichtis discivaria , Spartiniphaga panatela ,

4 July, OCONTO Co (LF) . Macronoctua onusta , 21 Sept, Outagamie Co (HK).
Papaipema cerina , 8-9 Sept, Grant, Trempealeau Cos (LF, JP). Papaipema
lysimachiae , 16 Aug, WAUKESHA Co (LF); 7 Sept, IOWA Co (JP); 8 Sept,
TREMPEALEAU Co (LF) . Papaipema baptisiae , 7-15 Sept, TREMPEALEAU, WAUKESHA,
KENOSHA Cos, det. E. Quinter (LF) . Papaipema furcata , 23-24 Aug, WINNEBAGO
Co (HK). Papaipema maritima , 14 Sept, WAUKESHA Co; 6 Oct, Kenosha Co (LF).
Papaipema eupatorii , 7 Sept, IOWA Co (JP); 6 Oct, KENOSHA Co (LF). Papaipema
sciata , 14 Sept, WAUKESHA Co (LF). Papaipema beeriana , 8 Sept-6 Oct, Kenosha
Co (JP, LF); 14 Sept, Waukesha Co (LF).

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Hydroecia stramentosa , 9 Sept, Grant Co ( JP) . Faqitana littera , 17 June,
Ozaukee Co (LF). Maqusa orbifera , 16 June, Waukesha Co (HK) . Stiriodes
obtusa , 16 June, Grant Co; 7 Sept, IOWA Co (JP). Hillia iris , 14 Sept,
Brachylomia alqens , 20 July, WAUKESHA Co (LF). Homohadena badistriqa , 14
July, Green Co (BB, TB) . Oncocnemis riparia , 3 July, Sauk Co (BB, TB) .
Faronta rubripennis , 17 Aug, Kenosha Co (LF). Tricholita notata , 8 Sept,
Kenosha Co (JP). Euxoa diverqens , 2 July, MARINETTE Co (MN); 4 July, OCONTO
Co (LF). Heliothis borealis , 27 May, Burnett Co, barrens, on violet (JP).
Schinia indiana , 4 June, Eau Claire Co (CF, LF). Schinia septentrional is , 8
Sept, Kenosha Co ( JP) . Schinia lucens , 7-14 July, Green Co (BB, TB) .

NEWS AND NOTES

An article appearing in the January 6 Milwaukee Journal highlighted the
discovery of a new dragonfly species in northwestern Wisconsin by Bill Smith
and Tim Vogt of the DNR's Bureau of Endangered Resources. The new species,
the St. Croix snaketail, is apparently restricted to a 30 mile stretch of the
St. Croix River's Burnett County shoreline.

The Xerces Society, dedicated to the conservation of butterflies and
other invertebrates, will hold its annual meeting in Madison, at the
University of Wisconsin on June 18-22, 1991. This meeting will be held in
conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology.
For information on meeting registration or society membership, contact:

The Xerces Society, 10 SW Ash Street, Portland, OR 97204.

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Wis. Entomological Society
c/o Les Ferge, Editor
7119 Hubbard Avenue
Middleton, WI 53562