Skipper irruption

[Pavulaan at aol.com]

The recent heat wave and drought here in the Washington D.C. metropolitan
area seems to have helped at least several resident Skipper species irrupt
into outbreak proportions.  

Three species have been observed in unusually large numbers:

1) Polites peckius (Peck's Skipper): This species appears in three broods in
this region, usually appearing as a sudden burst of emergers over a few days,
and several individuals can generally be seen in small areas.  This year, the
second brood, first emerging in mid-July, has appeared in exceptional
abundance and continues to emerge over a 2-week period.  Several dozen have
been observed in my garden daily, since around July 20.  Stops at several of
my favorite local butterfly spots indicates that peckius is now abundant and
widespread in northern Fairfax Co., VA.  Over 50 were observed in one large
flower bed in Vienna, VA. on July 25th.

2) Wallengrenia egeremet (Northern Broken Dash): Generally seen in low
numbers in this area.  Similar to peckius, it is now very common and
widespread.  Over 20 were counted at one location in Herndon, VA. on July
25th.

3) Atalopedes campestris (Sachem): Generally common and widespread here in
mid-summer and early fall, most years, but experiencing major irruptions and
subsequent northward migrations some years, as was the case in 1994 and 1995,
when it was reported from parts of New England for the first time.  This
year, the species is experiencing an outbreak in northern Fairfax Co., that
rivals the irruption of 1995.  New Englanders: keep your heads up for another
chance to see this critter in August or September.

Also, Erynnis horatius (Horace's Duskywing) is experiencing it's own little
population explosion locally.  I have not previously observed this species in
northern Fairfax Co., except at Great Falls, and others have reported it in
the past.  This is the first year I have seen it in the western part of the
county, appearing in small numbers just about everywhere in open fields and
in my own butterfly garden, where several have been seen daily since around
July 20.

Harry Pavulaan
Herndon, VA.