Vanessa at night

[Mark Walker]

Well, just to add two more anecdotes which prove nothing, I have encountered
two massive migrations in just the last few years where the leps were still
on the wing and flying rapidly at sunset.  The first occurred just south of
Laredo during the summer of 1998, where just about every Pierid was moving
north in great numbers and at great speed.  My butterflying day ended late -
since much was still on the wing after 6:00 p.m., and I didn't check in to
my motel until the sun was setting.  I was staying at the Executive Inn in
Zapata, I think, and the motel is somewhat U-shaped, with a gated swimming
pool in the middle.  I decided to jump in the pool for some quick
refreshment after 8:00 p.m., with the sun already below the horizon.  The
Pierids were still coming at me at great speed, many of them briefly getting
stuck in the eaves of the motel.  Most were Phoebis species (sennea,
agarithe, and philea), but there were still some Ascia and Kricogonia as
well.  

The second migration was the aforementioned Vanessa cardui migration that
occurred in the spring of 2001.  During my many adventures in the
southwestern deserts I encountered Painted Ladies still crossing the highway
in mass numbers as the sun was setting.  I must admit that I don't recall
beaning any leps on the highway well after dark, but it would certainly have
been much more difficult to identify them in any case.  

In both instances, the air temperature was still well above 70 degrees F.  I
think that in some cases, when the leps are en masse and on the move, it is
reasonable that there little switches don't turn off until way past the set
point - if you get what I mean.

Mark Walker.
> 

 
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 

   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:

   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl