Compton Tortoiseshell - An Early Flyer

Compton Tortoiseshell - April 28, 2013 by Larry Halverson

Compton Tortoiseshells overwinter as adults so they are one of the earliest butterflies seen each spring.  However, they won’t be flying too much longer as they’ll soon lay eggs and die. Look for them along stream sides and clearings particularly where birch, willows and aspen are growing. 

If you miss them, there will be another flight from late July until they enter hibernation in October.

Butterfly Weed

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) 

Photo by Larry Halverson

This pretty milkweed is not listed in BC but is considered invasive. Unlike other milkweeds it can found in wetlands.   This one was photographed blooming on August 9th by the wetlands near Athalmer. 

Showy milkweed is toxic. It possesses moderate concentrations of cardenolides, and can poison or even kill grazing animals. However this weed has saved the lives of many Monarch Butterflies. Monarchs feed on the milkweed and toxins they ingest gives the  butterfly its defence. Most predators have learned that the monarch butterfly makes a poisonous snack. So the plant is also called the Butterfly weed.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

One of the most easily recognized butterflies - Photo by Larry Halverson

The Mourning Cloak occurs throughout most of Canada. In BC it is most often found in open forests along wet areas where willows grow. They are one of the first butterflies seen in the spring because they over winter as adutls - hibernating in tree cavities or under lose bark. They feed on tree sap and the nectar of willow catkins. 

They seek a mate in early spring and die shortly after laying their eggs. New adutls emerge in August and fly into October.