San Benito - once more

[Mark Walker]

Saturday, January 15 2000

Patchy sunshine warmed things up to around 78 F.  Lots of bugs flying,
including all of the species already sighted (except the Gemmed Satyr and
the Goatweed Leafwing).  There were also lots of mosquitoes (and my shorts
and tee shirt hiking outfit left much to be desired).  After awhile, the
bites began to pile up on top of each other.  When you're not native to
sub-tropical areas, there's something particularly irritating about the
insect bites.  Maybe it's an immunity thing - I don't know.  What I do know,
is that I'll be scratching for a week.

The birds have also been great.  One of these days, I'll start identifying
them.  

How about a 6-inch long crawdad?  Big ol' thing, with long skinny pinchers.
It would have made a nice big snack.  It tried to pick a fight with me.
Again, no camera.  And no portable barbecue.

The highlight of the day was a Blue Metalmark (Lasaia sula) - my first
record of this species.  That is, if it's a good id (is the underside of
this species mottled brown and white?).  The upperside is a metallic sheen
of blue, and quite stunning.  I did not catch it, but it showed itself off
for me nicely.  There were other first sightings as well.  The Longtailed
Skippers were very common today, with four species being counted.  The
White-striped Longtail (Chioides catillus) was a first for me, as was the
Teleus Longtail (Urbanus teleus).  The Long tailed Skipper and the Brown
Longtail (U. proteus and U. procne) were also seen.

Also present today were Laviana Skippers and Funereal Duskywings.  Danaus
gilippus was also common, though not seen last week.  I also caught a
skipper that looks very much like Polites or Hesperia, with a thin and
straight "V" shaped spot band on the hindwing below.

Mark Walker
pulling ticks off in Brownsville, TX