Red Admiral Invasion Year in Great Lake States?

[Roger Kuhlman]

I was wondering if other people in the Great Lake States region are noticing a much larger than normal influx of Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) this year. Since April 30 when good numbers of Red Admirals ( 30 to 40 at single sites) were first reported in both Northwest Monroe County and Southwest Washtenaw County of Southeast Michigan, Red Admiral migrants seem to be everywhere. So far they have not reached the highest levels of the last Vanessa invasion year of 2001 or have been accompanied by major influxes of sister Vanessa species American Painted Lady (V. virginensis) and Painted Lady (V. cardui) but the season is young.
 
Roger Kuhlman
Greater Washtenaw Butterfly Survey
Ann Arbor, Michigan
5/11/2010 		 	   		  

 
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