Late Zebra Swallowtail in West Virginia

Ron Gatrelle gatrelle at tils-ttr.org
Wed Nov 14 17:12:15 EST 2001


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Calhoun" <John.Calhoun at SempermedUSA.com>
Subject: Late Zebra Swallowtail in West Virginia


> Although extremely rare, late emergences of this species are not unknown.
> We documented a specimen in Ohio that was captured on 23 October.  Food
for
> thought.  Here in Florida, where the season is very long, we have records
> from January through November.
>
> John Calhoun
> bretcal at gte.net
>

This reminded me of one other thought I had and forgot to put in.  Regional
or national books include early and late dates for the entire region.  The
Glassberg dates reflect this broad type of information.  State books give
much more accurate information of that state.  The Allen  W VA book lists
the second brood _there_ as from "mid-June into August."   We are talking a
full three months - 90 days - out of season for the sighting in question.
The Allen dates are what I was going to mention and forgot.

Now, moving one.  The message said the specimen was seen in Hardy County.
Hardy County is in the northeast part of the state next to VA.   All of us
who have any experience in Florida are well aware of the situation
mentioned by John.  Moving north flight seasons and broods change a good
bit.  Not the least factor in this is the difference in regional Papaw food
plant species (in south FL they feed on a small scrawny plant that looks
nothing like the almost tree size Papaw we are used to here in the
"north".)  There is an unusual (for here) colony of Zebra along the SC
lower coast  Even here at almost sea level and where it only snows about
every 10 years (today it is 74)  the butterfly has been gone for some time.
In Georgia the Zebra Swallowtail is recorded from February to
October -state wide.   But all the very early and very late dates are for
south Ga next to FL.  The earliest date in the GA mountain region (where
4000 is rare in GA and the actual early records are from around  2000) is
April 15. I do not have the late dates for the GA mountains - however, this
species is rare in the Mtns of NC when one begins to get above 2500.

Now, while all of the above may be interesting, it is all apples with
oranges useless it specifically relates to similar elevational and
ecological situations as found in the Hardy Co. W VA location in question.
Flight dates in Fla, Ohio, coastal SC, or south GA are not relative to
almost 4000 ft. in the W. Va mountains.

No only is there nothing factually specific to support this sighting, all
of the factually specific information precludes it by a long ways.  There
is nothing "wrong" with making a bad call - we all do it.   I do have a
problem with trying to deny the obvious and straining to fit round pegs in
square holes.  Sorry, I still don't buy this at all.

Ron Gatrelle



 
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