Spread-winged Skippers WHITES AND SULPHURS METALMARK BUTTERFLIES AND A POCKET GUIDE BUTTERFLIES These skippers are larger than About 14 species in ND of these medium-sized (1.5-2 inch Only one species in ND, the Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, meaning grass skippers and most are Mormon metalmark, and only DRAGONFLIES “scale wings.” It is estimated that up to 20,000 species wingspan) white or yellow butterflies. While species identification brown or gray in color. Eleven is not too difficult, it’s convenient to lump found in the badlands. Adults exist in the world. About 150 species of butterflies have species. feed on rabbit brush and cater- been identified in North Dakota. BRYAN E. REYNOLDS these active butterflies into either “whites” or The insect world is a place to discover and As its name implies the common “yellows.” pillar on wild buckwheat.

Common Checkered BRYAN E. REYNOLDS observe thousands of interesting new creatures. Butterflies differ from moths: checkered skipper is common in Skipper Mormon Metalmark It is these small creatures that create the begin- ND and is especially plentiful in Whites BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES MOTHS ning to a complex food chain. Without them, the badlands. These caterpillars feed on a variety of BUTTERFLIES many other forms of wildlife would not exist. Smooth, slender bodies Plump, fuzzy bodies plants in the mustard or cabbage family, Grass Skippers These small to large (1-4 inch wingspan) butterflies are From newly hatched ducklings to frogs, toads Thin antennae with a Thicker, more feathery including broccoli and cabbage in your active and colorful. Brush-footed butterflies are named because and bats, insects are used by almost every living knobbed end antennae Grass skippers are more colorful garden. Six “whites” in ND. the forelegs are shortened and covered in hairs, giving them a creature. skippers, with orange and yellow The cabbage butterfly is nonnative and “brushy” appearance. Approximately 54 species may be found Rest with wings upright over Rest with wings hues. Caterpillar food is primarily “White Butterfly” Butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damsel- the back spread out can be a garden pest. in ND. Brushfoots are further grasses such as little bluestem. divided into the following seven Most active Most active flies are a group of insects that are particularly Thirty one species. Yellows groups: interesting, in large part, because they are bril- during the day during the night Dakota skipper populations Caterpillars may feed on plants in your liantly colored and more visible to the human Usually brightly colored More are dull colored have declined due to loss of BRYAN E. REYNOLDS garden, but are most often encountered Fritillaries eye. Because they are found in many habitats native prairie and they have been Dakota Skipper in alfalfa and clover fields. Eight “yel- The 11 ND fritillaries are from wetlands and prairies to urban back yards, PPARTSARTS OOFF A BBUTTERFLYUTTERFLY proposed for listing as a threat- lows” in ND. medium to large (2-4.0 they are a good group of subjects for study and ened or endangered species. The clouded and alfalfa butterflies can inch wingspan). Sometimes enjoyment. be difficult to distinguish from each other. “Yellow Butterfly” difficult to identify, larger FOREWINGS SWALLOWTAILS ones can be grouped into This publication features only a small sample “greater fritillaries” and the Large (2.5-4.5 inch wingspan) GOSSAMER WINGS of common species found in North Dakota, and smaller into “lesser fritil- COMPOUND EYE butterflies with one or more tails on some of them you probably recognize. Other WING VEINS Small (less than 1.5 inch wing- laries.” Orange and black each hindwing. Nine species in ND. span) butterflies, about 29 species more comprehensive publications provide a ANTENNAE dorsal wings and silvery more in depth identification process for those Caterpillars have an orange-red in ND. They are further divided into ventral wings. PROBOSCIS Y-shaped structure on the head. four groups, of which three are that are not so common. The Aphrodite fritillary Aphrodite Fritillary When threatened, the caterpillar described here. The fourth, one spe- HINDWINGS newly hatched caterpillars Turning your own back yard into an attractive releases a pungent odor from this cies of harvester, is quite rare in ND. Canadian Tiger Swallowtail do not feed, but overwin- place for these insects is a project we hope you THORAX structure. Overwinter as a chrysalis. will consider. “Butterfly gardening” is a great ABDOMEN Coppers ter in this form, and do not eat until spring. activity that can involve the whole family. The 6 LEGS Yellow Swallowtails Look for iridescent purple hues The swallowtails, being more on the five species in ND. The flowers you plant will attract these creatures as Bronze Copper Crescents and well as add beauty to your neighborhood. Some LIFE CYCLE yellow, can be lumped into this bronze copper is found in wet Checkerspots butterflies and moths require specific plants, group, though some might actu- meadows where curly dock and There are four distinct stages of a butterfly or moth’s life: ally be a “black” swallowtail The eight butterfly adding to the satisfaction of your research, other dock species occur, its larval species. About five “yellow swal- food. species in this group are planting and providing a habitat on your own • Eggs are laid singly or in clusters on host plants or small, orange and dark sometimes on the ground. lowtails” in ND. Pearl Crescent property. Black Swallowtail Hairstreaks brown/black on the back • Caterpillars (or larvae) hatch from the eggs and Canadian tiger swallowtail Caterpillar Secretive and short flight periods and orange and white on consume the host plants. They mature through a caterpillars feed on leaves of the underside. Sandra Johnson Chris Grondahl series of stages (instars) where the skin is shed, poplars (e.g., cottonwood or may make many of the 10 hair- streaks difficult to find. Many have Pearl crescent, as with NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT allowing the caterpillar to grow more. aspen) and willow, occasion- ally ash and cherry. thin tails on the hindwing. all in this group, is asso- • Pupa (or “chrysalis” for butterflies and “cocoon” Look for striped hairstreaks along BRYAN E. REYNOLDS ciated with asters. for moths), the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly Black Swallowtails Striped Hairstreak BRYAN E. REYNOLDS within its pupa. edges of woodlands where oak Anglewings and The swallowtails being more trees are present. Tortoiseshells Mourning Cloak • An adult emerges from the pupae. Depending on black can be lumped into the species, some adults may overwinter and live for this group. About four “black Blues The irregular wing pattern BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS, DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES DRAGONFLIES MOTHS, BUTTERFLIES, up to a year; others may live only for a week or two. swallowtails” in ND. As the name of the group is obvious on the 10 spe- cies in this group. Overwin- The NDGFD receives federal financial assistance from the US Fish and Wildlife Many species do not migrate and spend the ND winter Black swallowtail caterpil- implies, males are blue but Service. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 in any of the forms above. females more gray or brown. Up ter as adults. of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act lars feed on plants of the dill of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education family, including garden dill to 12 species of blues in ND. The mourning cloak is Amendments of 1972, the NDGFD joins the US Department of the Interior and its SKIPPERS and carrots. Adult Black Swallowtail Melissa blues are bivoltine, usually the first butterfly Bureaus in prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, seen in the spring, some- age, disability, sex (in education programs or activities) and also religion for the Small to medium (3/4-1.5 inch wingspan) butterflies that meaning they have two broods NDGFD. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, per year, the first in mid-June times when there is still activity, or facility as described above, or you desire further information, please at first glance may appear to be a moth. Plump bodies, large snow on the ground. write to: ND Game and Fish Department, Attn: Chief Administrative Services, eyes and rapid flights. Roughly 42 species in ND. and another in mid-August. Melissa Blue Female 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or to: US Fish and The Eastern comma has a Wildlife Service, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail clear comma mark on the Stop: MBSP- 4020, Arlington, Virginia 22203. The TTY/TTD (Relay ND) number Eastern Comma for the hearing or speech impaired is 1-800-366-6888. underwing. 0 INCHES 12345678 A By Janet J. By Janet J. A Field A Field By Kurt Mead. Mead. By Kurt A Field Guide Guide A Field By Larry Weber. Weber. By Larry By Jeffrey Glassberg. By Jeffrey Glassberg. an atlas and guide. and guide. an atlas REFERENCES AND RESOURCES AND REFERENCES Books or Articles Books Dakota: of North Butterflies Online www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/insects/bflynd/ index.htm Atlas of North Dakota Butterflies. A searchable data- www.butterfliesandmoths.org base of butterfly and moth records in the United States and Mexico. North American Butterfly Associa- www.naba.org tion. The Butterfly Conserva- www.butterflyrecovery.org tion Initiative. http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/ monarchbutterfly The Monarch Butterfly in North America. A clearinghouse for informa- www.bugguide.net tion on all insects, spiders and other related creatures. Maps, checklists, and www.odonatacentral.org photographs of dragonflies and damselflies. The Xerces Society for Inverte- www.xerces.org brate Conservation. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ detail/national/plantsanimals/pollinate Natural Conservation Service Plants for Pol- Resources linators. By Ron Royer. Minot State University, Minot, ND. Minot, ND. Minot State University, Royer. By Ron 2003. in North Dakota. Butterfly Gardening C. Smith. and Ronald M. Fauske Knodel, Gerald State Uni- Service, North Dakota NDSU Extension 2004. http://www. October ND. Fargo, versity, ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/e1266.pdf the West: Butterflies through Binoculars, North Guide to the Butterflies of Western Field Oxford University America. By Jeffrey Glassberg. 2001. New York. Press, Butterflies of North America. 2004. New York. Sterling Publishing, Woods. Butterflies of the North 2002. Duluth, MN. Kollath-Stensaas Publishing, and Garden: Caterpillars in the Field Caterpillars of North Guide to the Butterfly Brock and Allen, Jim P. America. By Thomas J. New Oxford University Press, Jeffrey Glassberg. 2005. York. Dragonflies through Binoculars: to Dragonflies of North America. By Sidney New York. Dunkle. Oxford University Press, W. 2000. Dragonflies of the North Woods. 2003. MN. Duluth, Kollath-Stensaas Publishing, Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Spreadwing Damselfly “Bluet” Damselfly Common Whitetail Cherry-faced Female Meadowhawk American Rubyspot River Jewelwing About 10 skimmers About 10 skimmers The widow skimmer, Four- skimmer, widow The Red Meadowhawks are “meadowhawks.” Most males are reddish and most females are yellowish-black. Identifi- so cation can be difficult individuals may be called meadowhawks.” “red Large species in ND. Two American rubyspots often The female river jewelwing 18 species in Roughly The spreadwings hold spotted skimmer, twelve-spot- skimmer, spotted common and ted skimmer, are medium-sized, whitetail dragonflies. black and white on the wings White markings species make of the first three quite showy. these skimmers damselflies with metallic colors. cling to vegetation along streams and rivers. climbs down a plant stem a foot or more underwater to lay her eggs, then swims to the surface and flies away. or Most males are bluish ND. greenish with black markings. Most females gray or brown. The narrow-winged dam- selfly species are small and delicate. Most are species of “bluets” or blue damselflies. their wings out like a drag- but their small size onfly, and eyes that do not touch indicate they are damselflies. species in ND. Five Broad-winged Broad-winged Damselflies Narrow-winged Damselflies Spreadwings Variable Darner Variable A newly emerged Clubtail Spiny Baskettail Lance-tipped Darner 12-spotted Skimmer Common Green Darner Several species of darn- Several species The variable darner The other darner in The only dragonflies with The only dragonflies with Medium- in ND. species Two The spiny baskettail may The largest family of Darners are big (over 2.5 2.5 are big (over Darners Blue Darners of blue, ers have markings females black and green, with being more green/yellow. stripes Examining the thoracic will lead to species identifica- our six tion, but for simplicity “bluespecies may be called darners.” Q-tip- has slender, shaped yellow-blue thoracic stripes. Common Green Darner ND is the common easily green darner, recognized by the solid green thorax and blue abdomens on males and red abdomens on females and juveniles. Some are migra- tory. CLUBTAILS eyes that do not meet at the top of the head. Medium sized (2 inches long), three species in yellow and black dragon- ND, flies, primarily ground perchers. EMERALDS sized with bright green eyes. Secret and uncommon. emerge in masses. COMMON SKIMMERS dragonfly species in the world. About 20 species in ND. DARNERS perch verti- long), often inches and are vegetation, cally on They predators. extraordinary of all sizes, prey on insects dragonflies including other and damselflies.

Y L F Odonata, L E S M A Most active Most active D 10 9 / during the night 8 Y 7 L 10 TERMINAL (except spreadwings) 6 Wooly Bear Caterpillar Wooly F Eyes are always separate 5 (TWO SIDE) WINGS EACH Hold wings over their back Hold wings over their back N 4 ABDOMINAL APPENDAGES O AURICLE G (THREE SIDE) LEGS EACH 3 2 A 1 FEMUR R LIFE CYCLE D

TIBIA STIGMA A

F NODUS COSTA VEIN COSTA O

EYE Stout Slight S when mature, the nymph climbs out of the water, when mature, the nymph climbs out of the water, SHOULDER FACE (or nymph) hatch from the eggs and live under- perched THORAX FRONT THORAX T DRAGONFLIES DAMSELFLIES Most active Most active are deposited into plant stems, wet soil or directly are deposited into plant stems, wet soil or directly R during the day FOREHEAD A the top of the head PARTS OF A DRAGONFLY/DAMSELFLY PPARTS Hold wings flat when Hold wings flat when Strong, sustained flightStrong, fluttery flight Weak, Eggs into water. Larvae water for 1-3 years. As they grow they molt several times. The nymphs are voracious aquatic predators. Adult – clings to a surface such as a tree trunk or plant stem, and the dragonfly/damselfly emerges from its larvae skin. DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES Eyes almost always touch at at Eyes almost always touch • • • There are three distinct stages of a dragonfly or damselfly or damselfly There are three distinct stages of a dragonfly This group of moths typically typically of moths This group the larval bear is The wooly found around the home, particularly Several species of moths belong to the order Dragonflies and damselflies damselflies: Dragonflies differ from life: Tiger Moths Tiger have “hairy” caterpillars. Isabella tiger moth. form of the folklore, a wider According to section indicates brown middle winter will be mild the upcoming brown section and a narrow winter. predicts a harsh Millers are often called “millers.” around lights at night, About 34 dragonflies and 25 damsel- meaning “toothy ones.” in ND. flies have been found Lepidoptera. S I OSC B O X H ANTENNAE PR RA ND EYE T O OU O TH MP M

CO D A EA

H F Polyphemus Moth Polyphemus White-lined Sphinx Cecropia Caterpillar Glover’s Silkmoth O

S MOTHS T R S A S PARTS OF A MOTH PPARTS N REWING ME S FO O INDWING EG H L ABD Narrow wings and a Narrow wings and a White-lined sphinx cat- The giant silk moths are The giant silk moths are a 5-6 inch wing- With The Glover’s silkmoth, Moths belong to the same order as butterflies, as butterflies, the same order belong to Moths

streamlined abdomen streamlined abdomen allow most of the 35 species in this group to rapid flights. have strong, Some actually hover like hummingbirds. erpillars burrow into the ground where they meta- morphose into adults. Worldwide about 160,000 moth species have been identified been identified species have moth about 160,000 Worldwide species have than 1,000 exist. More more is thought many but it many perceived as pests, but Moths are often in ND. been found are quite beautiful. pollinators and some are beneficial Giant Silk Moths inch a group of large (3-6 wingspan), typically more that brightly colored moths are often confused with of the 11 butterflies. Four species in ND are particu- larly striking. span, the cecropia moth is the largest moth in North America. both caterpillars and adult, are similar to the cecropia moth. The Polyphemus moth is named for its large eye spots – a tribute to the Cylops (or one-eyed of giant) Polyphemus Greek mythology. Sphinx Moths

GERALD FAUSKE GERALD BRYAN E. REYNOLDS E. BRYAN This fffffff from the MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM black line separates Monarch. horizontal this species Common Wood Nymph Common Wood Painted Lady Painted Monarch Caterpillar Red AdmiralRed Viceroy Monarch Large (3.5-4 (3.5-4 Large Medium-sized (1-2.5 inch Medium-sized (1-2.5 inch The common wood The viceroy mimics, The viceroy mimics, Large (2.5-3.5 inch (2.5-3.5 inch Large The four species in this in this species The four lady is found The painted are in this admirals Red inch wingspan) inch wingspan) and well- known, the monarch com- pletely depends on milkweed as a food source for its caterpillar. Butterflies Milkweed Milkweed Nymphs wingspan) brown butterflies with distinctive eye spots. Eleven species in ND. nymph is found more often in grassland than in woodland, as its name implies. Satyrs or Wood Satyrs or Wood or is a look-alike, or is a look-alike, to the monarch. The monarch is un-tasty to predators so the viceroy has evolved to look like the monarch, thus predators will think it is A also un-tasty. black line across the hind wing separates this species from the monarch. wingspan) colorful wingspan) colorful spe- butterflies. Four cies in ND. Admirals group migrate south in the in the migrate south group survive ND they cannot fall as winters. except on every continent Antarctica. though their group even they should be name implies in the next. Thistle Butterflies Thistle