Follow us on social media to get the latest updates about the Pinhey Sand Dunes and it’s butterflies!
2024
July 3 - Carrot Seed Moth (Sitochroa palealis)
This moth was found near Dune site 2 and is an invasive species from Europe that is spreading fast. Their host plant, Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild carrot, is also an invasive from Europe.
June 25 - American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
This American Painted Lady Butterfly was a very patient model and allowed us to get some fantastic pictures at Dune site 2.
June 21 - Northern Cloudywing (Thorbes pylades)
June 21st was a day full of butterfly spottings! This Northern Cloudywing was found at Dune site 4.
– European Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
This European Skipper is an introduced species and can cause damage to crops but it was observed at Dune site 4 helping us out by feeding on the introduced Timothy (Phleum pratense) and highly invasive Quackgrass (Elymus repens).
– Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
This energetic Sliver-spotted Skipper was observed at Dune site 4 but refused to pose nicely for a photo.
– Hobomok Skipper (Lon hobomok)
This Hobomok Skipper was found on common milkweed at Dune site 4.
– White Cutworm Moth (Euxoa scandens)
The White Cutworm Moth is a very interesting find at Dune site 4. This is a dune species that does not appear to have been recorded between Sandbanks and Montreal. This might be a fantastic sign of dune rehabilitation!
June 20 - Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Cabbage Whites are known to be major agricultural pests and may be a contributing factor to the decline of the Mustard White butterfly (Pieris oleracea) due to competition. Sadly the Mustard White has many threats especially the widespread invasion of Garlic Mustard which is toxic to them.
June 9 - American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
We are delighted to share that we have observed an abundance of American Painted Lady caterpillars at both Dunes sites 2 and 3. Approximately one hundred ninety-one (191) caterpillars were seen at Dune site 2 and one hundred fifty-seven (157) at Dune site 3. All the caterpillars were found on all batches of Pearly Everlasting.
June 6 - Monarch Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)
At least eleven (11) large, healthy-looking monarch caterpillars were seen on the milkweed at the Dunes! This is the earliest we recall seeing monarch larvae before, and these look like they’re about ready to pupate. Hopefully, this signals that 2024 will be a good year for the monarchs!
May 7 - Spring Blue Azure (Celastrina ladon)
These beautiful butterflies were frequently seen at all the dune sites (Dune sites 1, 2, and 3).