automobile traffic and leps!

[rjnjr]

Dear Fellow Lepsters:

Last year after a frustrating hour of trying to catch Mourning Cloak
butterflies alongside a busy highway in Mescalero, New Mexico, I noticed
that most of the Mourning Cloaks [Nymphalis antiopa] were flying across the
highway to escape my net. I started walking up the shoulder of the road and
soon located three beautiful specimens, all stunned by contact with passing
cars and in great shape. I still have never actually netted this species,
but I finally got some for my son's collection.  I also found some wonderful
Southern Dog Face [Cesonia zerene] and a few White Lined Sphinx Moths [Hylea
lineata]. 

I will always check the road margins when lots of nectar sources are
close-by. I have never thought of an automobile as a collecting aid but am
now convinced!


-- 
Sincerely,


Robert J. Nuelle, Jr.
Webmaster
The UniverShell Trading Company

webmaster at univershell.com


http://www.univershell.com/home.html      --- Molluscan Natural History Site
http://www.univershell.com/bfly/home.htm  --- Butterfly Natural History Site





> I just got the 15 Feb. issue of the Journal of the Lepidopterists'
> Society.  A remarkable study was published by Duane D. Mckenna, Katherine
> M. Mckenna, Stephen B. Malcom, and May R. Berenbaum, entitled "Mortality
> of Lepidoptera along roadways in central Illinois."  I encourage all of
> you to read this!  I will quote a few numbers they present (p. 66-67):
> 
> "According to our estimates, the number of Lepidoptera killed along
> interstates in Illinois during this week could have been more than
> 500,000, the number killed along highways could have been more than
> 5,000,000, and the number of Lepidoptera killed along other roads could
> have been more then 15,000,000.  In total, the number of Lepidoptera
> killed by automobiles was estamated at more than 20,000,000 individuals in
> this seven-day period.
> Using similar methods, we estimated the potential number of monarch
> butterflies killed during week.  According to our estimates, in Illinois
> in one week during this study may have been more than 500,000."
> 
> I am sure this will be a very frequently cited study for years to come!
> 
> Best,
> 
> Andy Warren
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> 
>  For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:
> 
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> 
> 


 
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