Naturalist-led nature tour of Cuba in November!

Cuba Nature Trip

with lepidopterist and author, Marc Minno, 

and Cuban naturalist, Douglas Fernandez-Hernandez

Pinar del Rio, Vinales Valley, Zapata Swamp, Cienfuegos, and Havana

Nov 14- 21, 2014 -- 8 days, 7 nights

Join lepidopterist Marc Minno and native Cuban naturalist Douglas Fernandez-Hernandez to experience Cuba. Share a true “People to People” exchange of culture and the environment through a humanitarian exchange program by our 501-c-3, nonprofit organization. This exceptional program will include visiting the magical UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Biospheres of Cienfuegos, Zapata Swamp, Vinales Valley, Pinar del Rio, and remarkable Havana. While there, you will learn about the gardens, environment, art, music, architecture and survival of the people living in these historical areas while having an opportunity to personally interface with the people of this region.

Dr. Marc Minno received a Bachelor’s degree in entomology from Purdue University, a Master’s in entomology from the University of California at Davis, and a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Florida.  Dr. Minno has written or co-authored many scientific and popular articles on butterflies and moths as well as the following books of local interest: Butterflies of the Florida Keys (Scientific Publishers, 1993), Florida Butterfly Gardening (University Press of Florida, 1999), Butterflies through Binoculars: Florida (Oxford University Press, 2001), Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants (University Press of Florida, 2005), and Rare, Declining, and Poorly Known Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) of Forests and Woodlands in the Eastern U.S. (U.S. Forest Service, 2009).  He has surveyed butterflies in all parts of Cuba.

Douglas Fernandez-Hernandez has been studying butterflies since childhood, and is one of Cuba’s distinguished authorities on entomology.  He has published several scientific papers and co-authored a butterfly book.  He and Marc are currently working on updating their recent findings and have published 3 articles on the Zestos Skipper, Monarchs and the Cuban Skipperling (Oarisma nanus), one of the world’s smallest butterfly. 

The package includes: a complimentary conference call briefing 4 weeks prior to the journey, special travel visa, approved license, round trip non-stop charter air service direct Miami-Havana, private air-conditioned motor coach, medical insurance, hotels, luggage handling, transfers, permits, entry fees, English speaking guide, bottled water daily, tips and meals as stated on the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners).  We take care of obtaining all of your documents, travel plans and guide you through the whole process!

We travel on a US Department of Treasury approved license. There are a limited number of seats available for this rare chance to visit this distinctive island. Our team has worked in Cuba for over 12 years. (SEE ITINERARY BELOW)

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Itinerary

Minno Nature trip - Nov 14-21, 2014

Day 1- Friday- Nov 14

Depart Miami to Cienfuegos. Upon arrival, our bus will be waiting for our departure to the UNESCO Heritage City of Cienfuegos, a thriving port since Columbus landing in 1494, before checking into La Jagua Hotel and have Dinner at a private paladar (on your own)

 

Day 2- Saturday- Nov 15

After breakfast, visit the enchanting Botanical Gardens of Soledad, which served as Harvard Harvard House. Cuban Butterfly specialist, Douglas Fernandez and Marc Minno will give an extensive presentation on the butterflies of Cuba, and a butterfly walk. Lunch will be served in the garden before heading to Zapata Swamp. Overnight at Playa Larga Hotel and have dinner (B,L,D)
University’s Tropical Research Station having more than 2,000 species of tropical plants and palm trees for butterfly and bird observations. Some of the oldest Palms in Cuba exist here. Harvard’s name is still visibly carved into a palm tree entrance of what was once called the

 

Day 3- Sunday- Nov 16

After breakfast, early morning guided walk of Zapata Swamp with a key specialist will take up most of the morning. (Half day).  Zapata area has some of the best birding in all of Cuba, and, the Cuban Black Hawk, Cuban Parrot, Cuban Pygmy Owl, Green Woodpecker, Fernandina’s Flicker, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Bee Hummingbird, Cuban Crow, Crescent-eyed Pewee, Zapata Wren, Red-shouldered and Tawny-shouldered blackbirds, and many others. Lunch at nature preserve and in the afternoon, look for Flamingoes and many other water birds. Dinner at a private paladar on your own, Overnight at Playa Larga Hotel. (B,L)

 

Day 4- Monday- Nov 17 

After breakfast, depart for the vast Soroa Orchid Gardens, developed and nurtured by the Lunch will be at Casa del Campesino in UNESCO Biosphere of Las Terrazas. There is good birding in this area and the surrounding countryside, including Cuban Tody, Emerald Hummingbird, Loggerhead Kingbird, Cave Swallow, Red-legged Thrush, Yellow-headed Warbler, Black-cowled Oriole and Cuban Blackbird.Check into Soroa Hotel and have dinner. (B,L,D)
University of Pinar del Rio. The Soroa Garden is an excellent place to see the national bird of Cuba, the Cuban Trogon. This area is also a butterfly haven.

 

Day 5 – Tuesday- Nov 18

After breakfast we will head to Vinales Valley. This province is renowned for its scenic beauty, fertile  Mogotes are enormous flat top limestone outcroppings; the mountains in this area contain huge caves and underground river networks.  Birding with local specialist on the canyon rim of a UNESCO biosphere known as VinalesValley.Our drive through Vinales National Park boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire country.  Lunch will be held at El Palenque de los Cimarones with musical entertainment (nice location to be introduced to the Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion and its origins).  We will explore La Cueva del Indio, part of it by boat and will have a quick photo stop at the country’s biggest painted Mural, and where there is a nesting colony of Antillean Palm Swifts.  Dinner at private Cuban home.  Soroa Hotel (B,L,D)
tobacco plantations, and unusual mogotes.

 

Day 6- Wednesday- Nov 19

After breakfast, we will head to Havana to visit the majestic Jardin Botanico Nacional.  We will stop for lunch. Then enter the UNESCO Heritage City of Havana, check into our hotel.  Dinner at private paladar on your own. (B, L) 

OPTIONAL EVENING:  10:00PM SHOW AT THE TROPICANA, or, other entertainment that might be available that night.  The guides will arrange for tickets and transportation

 

Day 7-Thursday- Nov 20

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a very personalized visit of remodeled and critically acclaimed National Museum of Fine Art and Museum of Revolution.  We will be led on aan extensive walking tour through UNESCO Heritage City of Old Havana.  There will be free San Jose arts and crafts market , bookstalls, and other museums.  Farewell dinner and entertainment. (B,D)
time to explore the

 

Day 8- Friday- Nov 21

After breakfast, check-out of hotel and depart for the airport. (B)  

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Trip Application Form for Nov 14-21, 2014 trip

Instructions: In order to make your reservation and hold a space, fill out the trip application below and send a non- binding $500.00 deposit per person (Checks only please).  

Questions?  Contact: info@fktreeinstitute.org 866- 355-8733 (866-FLK-TREE)

Name : ___________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Cell Phone _______________________________ email ___________________________________

o Single ($500.00 deposit)           o Double ($1,000.00 deposit), rooming with ___________________

Roommate’s Name _________________________ Roommate’s cell phone __________________ Roommate’s email ___________________________

******************************************************************************************

Other notes: 

Mail your deposit check and the application form to:  FK TREE Institute, PO Box 40493, Miami FL 33145.  MARK YOUR CHECK MEMO "Minno Nov 2014 trip"  Make check out to:  Florida Keys TREE Institute (a 501c-3 nonprofit organization)

We take care of getting your documentation, visas and all reservations, starting in Miami. You are responsible for getting to Miami. The trip deposit is refundable up until August 1, 2014. We will confirm receipt of your deposit. On or about mid-July, we will email you a registration packet and instructions which will be due with final payment by, August 1, 2014. It will also include information for optional trip cancellation/ interruption insurance. The package includes medical coverage while in Cuba. About one month prior to the trip, we will have a required toll free conference call to go over all the information for traveling to Cuba. No inoculations are required. Itinerary times may vary with flight schedule.

**limited rooms available**

Price:  $2999.00 per person double occupancy (limited to 28 participants). 

Not included:  Some meals, tips for guide and driver, Cuba departure tax of $30.00 & baggage fees charged in Miami. (Add $250.00 for single supplemental) 

Note:  Trip  cancellation/interruption insurance is available upon request only through our representative.

Stalking Leafwing Butterflies in Everglades National Park

I was lucky enough to find two leafwing butterflies on my trip to Everglades National Park.  Both were males perching in a small hammock.  I waved a small orange survey flag in their general direction and each came flying out and aggressively went after the flag thinking it was a female!

This butterfly is nearly extinct and is now only known to occur in Everglades National Park.

 This metallic-looking bee was sleeping on a thistle flower late in the day.  Not a very soft bed!

Dr. Peter May at Stetson University identified this bee as an Osmia species.  He noted that he sees them in the springtime on thistle flowers.

 Roger Hammer showed me this spectacular cowhorn orchid, and said to come back in April to see it flowering.  There were hundreds of flowers on it.  This is a rare native orchid.

 Late in the day the Pygmy Blues were sunning with their wings open.

Liguus tree snails are disappearing from south Florida but are still locally common here in Everglades National Park.  This one is mixed up because it is displaying several different forms on the same shell.  In the past in each hammock the snails had their own special pattern and color form, although they were the same species.  People moved them around and would even destroy entire population so they would have unique specimens in their collection.  Now it's not uncommon to see hybrid forms like this one.

Nature Photos from the Yard

The cross vine is still blooming.  Ours has climbed all the way to the top of our red oak tree fifty feet or so.  I only see the fallen flowers on the ground.  The rest will have to be enjoyed by the birds.  Hummingbirds should like these!

The grand kids, Rose and Mirin, found this unusual caterpillar that looks like lichens.  It's the Ilia Underwing moth.  It eats only oaks.  The caterpillar rests on oak bark around patches of lichens when not feeding on the leaves.  The kids were impressed by it's distinctive purple belly.

The Calycanthus floridus, or sweetshrub (not a typo - there really is no space) started flowering last week.  It has a strong, spicy fragrance. 

Beetles in the Everglades

 

Last week I was in Everglades National Park looking for the Florida Leafwing butterfly.  I also found a bunch of interesting beetles, such as this pair of soldier beetles in a salt marsh on salt wort.

 I've seen this beautiful Clerid or Checkered beetle on thistle flowers here before, but this one on Coreopsis struck a beautiful pose.

This mating pair of Cerambycid or longhorn beetles didn't seem to mind me taking a photo.  If anyone knows the specific name of these, I'd like to hear from you.

 

Owl flies are so unusual.  They have butterfly-like antennae and the body of a damselfly or a dragonfly.  However, they are actually related to antlions.  They are predatory.

Fairchild Tropical Garden Spring Festival

 Fairchild Tropical Garden has a wonderful butterfly conservatory featuring butterflies throughout the world, but the garden itself has many wild butterflies of interest, including this Atala caterpillar on Zamia.

 It is also one of the best places to see the Atala butterfly.  Here's an adult feeding on saw palmetto flowers, one of their favorite plants.  The Atala is an imperiled species and one of our most beautiful butterflies.

There are a number of unusual exotic lizards living here, including the Red Agama.  They are strikingly big but shy.  They were fairly common there, and grew to be about ten inches long.

Cuba Nature Trip

  Cuba Nature Trip

June 7-13, 2014 (7 days, 6 nights)

Pinar del Rio, Vinales Valley, Zapata Swamp, Cienfuegos, Havana  

I will be leading a week-long nature-immersion trip to Cuba June 7-13, 2014.  We will visit Pinar del Rio, Vinales Valley, Zapata Swamp, Cienfuegos, and Havana.  The trip is through a nonprofit humanitarian exchange program, a “People to People” exchange of culture and environment.  Attached is a poster with further information on the amenities and itinerary.  

Price:  $2999.00 per person double occupancy (limited to 28 participants)- Not included: some meals, personal tips, Cuba departure tax of $30.00 & baggage fees charged in Miami.

 (Add $250.00 for single supplemental) **limited rooms available**

******Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is available upon request only thru our representative.*******

 For more information, click here.

Big Cypress

 The Oasis visitor center at Big Cypress has some incredible wildlife, such as this ten foot alligator.  I stopped there recently on my way to Miami for the Fairchild Tropical Garden spring festival. 

 Here's the post office in Ochopee.  It's supposed to be the smallest active post office in the United States.

About the only other thing in Ochopee, Florida is Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe, which specializes in cold beer, but I've never seen this place open for business.

Nature Photo

This is a Bird's Nest Fungus found growing in our yard.  It is so aptly named, as it looks so much like nests of eggs, or perhaps baskets of silver coins.  The spore sacks get splashed out of the nests with rain and often stick to things.  Some people complain.

Wednesday Butterfly Survey #1

Each week I spend time outside in our front yard and make notes about the butterflies I see and the plants that are blooming.  There weren't many butterflies out this week, which is surprising as it has been warm and clear.

I only noticed one butterfly, a snout butterfly, or Libytheana carinenta this week.

 The spiderworts (Tradescantia ohiensis) are blooming prolifically.  The flowers are edible, and my grandchildren enjoy picking them to eat.

 Native Azaleas (Rhododendron austrinum) are just now starting to open.  They have incredibly fragrant flowers.  I noticed some small thrips on the older blossoms.

The Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), which is so attractive to humming birds, has been brightening up the yard for awhile now.  Other flowers that were blooming were Lyre-leaf Sage (Salvia lyrata), Crab Apple, Pawpaws (Asimina triloba), and Fringe Tree (Chionathus virginicus).

Field Notes of Charles F. Zeiger

During the 1990s Dave Baggett gave me a few books, including a field notebook of Charles F. Zeiger, one of the original members of the Southern Lepidopterists Society.  Chuck Zeiger was the SLS zone coordinator for northern Florida in 1979.  He worked as Chief of the Aquatic Plant Control Section for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville, Florida.  Chuck corresponded with other Lepidopterists such as Bryant Mather and Walfried J. Reinthal.  His notes mention sending specimens of Neonympha areolatus from Jacksonville to Mather who published a paper in 1965 on the distribution and variation of this species.  Chuck donated many specimens of butterflies, moths, and other insects to the Florida State Collection of Arthropods in Gainesville, Florida.

From February 7, 1959 until April 22, 1961 Chuck wrote his collecting notes in a small Standard Engineer’s Field Book.   I provide an edited version of his notes in Table 1 below.  Also included in this book were 12 loose, lined notebook pages of slightly smaller size.  Entries written on these pages cover February 12, 1978 to August 30, 1981 for sites in Florida, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic (see Table 2 below).

A summary of the butterflies and moths mentioned in the notes is published in Southern Lepidopterists’ News.   I plan to donate Chuck’s original notes to the University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity in Gainesville.

Table 1.  Chuck Zeiger’s field notes in a bound book from February 1959 to April 1961.

February 7, 1959

Hecksher drive near St. Regis Paper Co.

Temperature about 75, partly cloudy.

Caught 9 Colias (winter form).

2 females, 5 males, 2 albino females

February 15, 1959

Behind Atlantic Mills.

Caught 8 Pieris rapae (Cabbage butterflies) 2 female 6 male.

1 Euptychia.

St. Regis Paper Co.

Caught 10 Colias ariadne, all males.

2 Phyciodes phaon, mated female.

4 Junonia genoveva (buckeye).

2 males 2 females, appear to be runts only about half size, real dark in color.

February 22, 1959

Temperature about 65 to 70, sunny.

Caught in back yard.

1 black Swallowtail. Small in size. 

Caught in park at Hamilton and Park St.

1 angle wing.

3 red admiral.

2 zebra swallowtails.

2 red admiral.

Caught at Edgewood Cemetery.

Missed several blues.

Giant and tiger swallowtails.

Had on white shirt.

February

2 males  2 females  Spicebush swallowtail.

March 17, 1959

Stuart Fla.

3 Euptychia phocion.

6 Anartia jatrophae (peacock).

5 Eurema lisa.

3 Calephelis virginiensis.

2 males 2 females  Papilio turnus.

Sighted several black females but could not obtain any.

March 22, 1959

Edgewood Cemetery.

2 zebra swallowtails.

1 giant swallowtail (small size).

April 5, 1959

Ft. Clinch

Caught 8 wood nymphs (Euptychia cymela).

Not listed in the butterfly book.

St. Regis Paper Co.

2 Colias.  Both males.

1 luna moth at tale gate.

1 skipper.

April 11, 1959

Borrow pit just off Edgewood.

Partly cloudy, 75°-78°.

2 zebra swallowtails.

2 Thorybes pylades.

1 Euptoieta claudia female.

The above was caught laying eggs.

1 Strymon cecrops (Klots).

April 12, 1959

Hamilton St. Park.

Cloudy after rain, 75°-78°.

1 Strymon m. melinus.

2 buckeyes.

1 painted lady.

1 red admiral.

3 skippers.

2 cabbage butterflies (Pieris rapae).

Male, female

1 Phyciodes phaon.

April 18, 1959

Front yard.

Very cloudy and warm day.

Caught 1 monarch.

Male banded with F-36.

April

Fort Pierce.

Several Zebra butterflies.

Several large whites. 

Some were very dark in color, almost black.

4 small blues.

A large amount of queens were sighted plus many gulf fritillaries.

1 peacock.

Perfect shape. Caught several more but released.

1 lesser fritillary.

4 skippers.

1 Thelca.

May 3, 1959

Borrow Pit.

2 wood nymphs same type as caught at Fort Clinch Apr. 5.

2 wood nymphs same type as I caught at Stuart (brown with orange stripes) March 17.

May 22, 1959

Foot of Gilmore St. back of City of Edgewood Bldg. 

Hot, partly cloudy with rain.

4 Copaeodes minima.

1 Nathalis iole male.  

Same as caught at Palatka.

2 Colias eurytheme amphidus caught in

copulation.

May 22, 1959

Orange Park behind dog track (one of the best locations).  Many species can be taken.

1 Erynnis persius. [probably E. zarucco]

Several more that could have been caught.

2 Oligoria maculata. More sighted.

1 Eurema lisa female.

2 Strymon favonius.

4 Strymon cecrops.  More sighted, quite

common in and around Jax.

1 Pyrgus syrichtus.  Just one sighted,

may be a stray.  Will have to check closer.

1 Papilio marcellus (flying fast).

May 24, 1959

Orange Park at the second bend in Collins Road west of Orange Park.

2 Euptychia areolata.

Several more sighted.  There is a colony at this location.

4 Phyciodes.

Not sure what subspecies.  Must check closer.  Big variation in ones caught.  Could be phaon and tharos.

1 Papilio marcellus. 

Several more sighted.

2 Erynnis. 

Not sure what subspecies.

Behind dog track.

2 Erynnis.  Same as above.

1 Strymon melinus.

1 Atilides halesus.

Released, not in good shape.  Appeared to have been attacked by lizard.

[drawing of wing damage]

May 26, 1959

Foot of Gilmore

2 Pieris protodice ♀.

2 skippers.

No. 1 and No. 2 skippers to Mather.

2 small skippers. 

No. 4, 5.

Skipper No. 3 (caught in back yard).

May 30, 1959

Orange Park.

12 Euptychia areolata.

Skipper No. 8 to Mather.

5 pearl Crescents.

3 Lephelisca virginiensis (metalmark).

1 zebra swallowtail.

Park on Hamilton.

3 Epargyreus clarus.

May 31, 1959

Edgewood Cemetery.

1 Euptychia gemma.

Shipped to Bryant Mather:

5 unnamed skippers.

8 Euptychia areolata.

3 Phoebis philea female, male, female

   albino.

1 Epargyreus clarus.

1 Strymon favonius.

2 A. numitor.

July 4, 1959

Sighted a small blue butterfly at the park on Hamilton, but it was run off by a crescent before I could capture it.  Sighted another in the backyard, but had no net.

1 P. communis skipper.

1 A. numitor skipper.

2 P. phaon (crescent).

1 L. accius skipper.

1 A. ruricola skipper.

1 E. martialis skipper.

1 L. archippus (Viceroy).

July 13, 1959

Caught 2 P. protodice at the office (575 Riverside).

Tried to catch a small wood nymph, but had a chameleon grab it just before I could.  The lizard had sneaked up behind the cymela and grabbed it just as it opened its wings to fly.

1 Strymon melinus.

1 Strymon cecrops.

1 Papilio cresphontes.

1 Phoebis philea.

July 18, 1959

Orange Park, Collins Road.

12 C. p. pegala.

Large colony near where Euptychia areolata was obtained in May.  Several Euptychia areolata sighted.

Tried behind the race track, but flowers not in bloom.

July 25, 1959

Across from borrow pit beside cemetery.

Sighted:

2 zebra butterflies.

1 small blue.

Caught:

1 Ascia monuste.

Edgewood Cemetery.

Caught and released 2 C. p. pegala.

October 25, 1959

Orange Park.

Monarchs tagged:

F-37, F-38, F-39, F-40, F-41, F-42, F-43, F-44, F-45, F-46.

February 27, 1960

Hecksher Drive near St. Regis Paper Co.

Cool 60 to 65 degrees, sunny.

2 Papilio marcellus.

3 Precis lavinia coenia.

1 Strymon melinus.

1 Strymon titus.

2 Phyciodes phaon.

1 black skipper.

3 gray skippers.

February 29, 1960

Edgewood Cemetery.

65 to 70 degrees, sunny.

2 Euptychia gemma.

This is the only location I have taken this species.

6 Strymon cecrops taken on dogwood blooms.  Very common species.  Can be taken anytime.

4 Euptychia h. sosybia.  Very common.

1 Papilio philenor.

1 Phyciodes phaon.

March 1960

Very cold spring.  Low of 26 on March 6^th.  High of 50. 

No Butterflies.

April 1960

Very poor.  Few butterflies of any species sighted.

Hatched:

Polyphemus moths from 36 eggs on 5^th of May.

Received 70 eggs from Dr. Reinthal on the 8^th of April.

Hatched 40 on the 16^th of April.

Shed the first time from 20 to 22 April.

Changed from black to pale green.

Shed on the 12 to 14.  Many have grown to about 1 ½ “.  Lost 12 that got in a bowl of water.  Total of 32 left.

30 pupated from 20 to 25 May.

May 14, 1960

Cemetery on Picketville Road in the southwest corner on a small tree about 12’ high.  May be (gooseberry) [probably sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboretum), MCM].

Caught:

6 Strymon calanus.

4 Strymon favonius.

2 Strymon cecrops.

1 Strymon melinus.

Sighted one Atlides halesus on tree.

May 15, 1960

Same location.

2 Strymon calanus.

2 Strymon favonius.

1 Strymon melinus.

May 21, 1960

Same location.

3 Strymon favonius.

May 22, 1960

Same location.

2 Strymon favonius.

June 8, 1960

Behind office at 575 Riverside.

1 Precis lavinia coenia.

Eye spots on fore wing elongated and distorted.

1 Vanessa virginiensis.

1 Pieris protodice.

This is the only location this butterfly taken.

1 Colias philodice.

First one taken here in Jax.

June 12, 1960

At the park on 1500 +/- block of Hamilton near the R.R. track along the ditch.  Have taken many butterflies near this location.

1 Feniseca tarquinius.

First one taken in Jax.

July 8, 1960

Collected at Kingsley Plantation with Dr. Reinthal.

Papilio palamedes quite common.  I took 4 good species.  Dr. R. took about 12.

2 zebra butterflies.

Highway A1A East of Fort George.

Took 2 Ascia monuste males and a pair in copula.  Female dark in color.

Little Talbot Island

Took one Mitoura gryneus.  First one I have taken in this area.

Checked along A1A to Fernandina.

Sighted lots of palamedes.

Fort Clinch State Park

1 Papilio cresphontes female, 1 male.

7 Asterocampa c. alicia.

Caught ½ mile from the main gate on hackberry trees along road.  Plus 24 larva.  All given to Reinthal.

Rain stared at 2:30.  Proceeded to Jekyll Island, Georgia.

July 9, 1960

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Collected Asterocampa c. alicia and A. c. flora.  All given to Dr. Reinthal.  Plus about two or three dozen larvae.

Collected larvae of A. vanilla nigrior on food plant, passion flower on Jekyll Island.

Collected A. c. alicia and bachmannii and P. interrogationis at Island along road between Jekyll Island and Brunswick.

Papilio palamedes quite common.

Proceeded to Savannah.  Took several Asterocampa c. alicia in allies off Bull Street from 49^th to 51^st and at Shell service station at Hwy 17 and 38^th Street. Returned to Jax.  Some rain.  Collecting not too good.

July 10, 1960

Took 1 male and 1 female Ascia monuste.  Female was laying on food plant of pepper plant.

Just south of St. Augustine at Matanzas Inlet.

1 male fresh and 1 female Agraulis vanillae nigrior.

3 to 5 miles south of Marineland

Took 3 Asterocampa c. alicia.

Went to Palatka

Found hackberry trees.  Turned south, first street east of bridge (Hwy 17).  Went about 4 blocks.  Trees along waters edge.  No Asterocampa flying.

Hackberry located on right side of Hwy 20 about 6 blocks west of U.S. 17.

1 Asterocampa sighted.

Returned to Jax.  590 miles covered in 3 days.

July 16, 1960

Orange Park, Florida.

Caught one pegala at the Collins Road Triangle [map drawn].  The colony of pegala at this location has just started to hatch.  The main hatch should be out in about 2 weeks.

Caught:

2 Thorybes bathyllus skippers.

1 Agraulis vanillae.

1 Strymon cecrops.

Behind Moose Haven near river.

Took:

1 Papilio glaucus.

1 Papilio polyxenes asterius.

1 Papilio palamedes.

Went out the road toward the boy scout camp.  Turned right at dirt road across from Camp Seminole day camp across the railroad track.  Then down road about one mile.

Caught:

8 Papilio philenor.

2 Papilio marcellus.

2 Agraulis vanillae.

1 Epargyreus clarus skipper.

July 23, 1960

Found a large colony of Pieris protodice along Edgewood Avenue just north of Paxon Shopping Center.  16 takes.

2 Pieris rapae.

2 Ascia monuste.

3 black swallowtails

1 tiger swallowtail

Last week in August, 1960

Goldhead State Park

Collecting not as good as was hoped for.

Took:

A few queens.

Papilio marcellus.

Papilio troilus.

1 Feniseca tarquinius.

Found a colony of [blank] at the area for campers.  First record of this species here.  Took about 14.

Large colony of Eurema lisa at this same location.

September 2-3, 1960

Had real good collecting at Orange Park.  Caught about 100 species in two locations.  One behind race track, the other near Camp Seminole.

February 12, 1961

Collected near St. Regis Paper Co. on Hercksher Drive.

3 Colias eurytheme ariadne, all males.

1 buckeye.

1 questionmark (a stray).

1 painted lady virginiensis.

This was the first day this year warm enough to collect.  About 60 to 65.  Sunny.

February 26, 1961

Collected near Edgewood Cemetery.

Nothing flying at Cemetery. 

Collected Strymon cecrops just off Picketville Road near Edgewood Avenue.

March 6, 1961

Temperature 88, highest on record this early in the season.

March 4, 1961

Collected at Orange Park, Fla.

Collecting not good.

2 black swallowtails.

1 zebra swallowtail.

1 blue swallowtail.

March 11, 1961

Collected at Edgewood Cemetery with Veral Board.

Temperature 36 in the early morning, up to 72 by the afternoon.

Took:

4 gemma.

2 red admirals.

Vanessa virginiensis.

tiger swallowtail.

Sighted all swallowtails caught in this area also.

March 18, 1961

Orange Park

Two skippers

March 26, 1961

Sunny, warm.  75 to 80.

Out Collins Road west.  Turn right at end of pavement.  Turn left at end of street.  Go as far as you can without turning.  Walk thru dump to the left to a small stream.

1 spring azure male.  First record for this area.

April 1 and 2, 1961

Goldhead State Park between Old Mill site and lake along trails.

Sunny, cool, windy.

Spring azures.  5 males, 4 females.

Incisalia henrici.  3 males, 2 females.  First taken in this area.

1 Strymon m-album.

3 Euptychia cymela.

April 9, 1961

Hamilton Street Park

Cloudy, cool.  65 to 70.

1 Strymon m-album.  First one taken in Jax.

1 Strymon cecrops.

4 skippers.

April 15, 1961

Hamilton Street Park

Cloudy, cool

4 skippers.  Whirlabouts.

April 22, 1961

Tried Orange Park.

Collecting not good.

4 Strymon melinus.

1 Ascia monuste.

1 painted lady – virginiensis.

3 skippers.

Table 2.  Chuck Zeiger’s field notes on loose note book sheets from February 1978 to August 1981.

1978 Field Observations

C. F. Zeiger

February 12, 1978

Dave Baggett and I checked the area 4 mi. south of Interlachen, Putnam County, Fla. S.R. 315 for eastern white cedar, host for Mitoura hesseli.  The trees were located along Deep Creek growing in a very thick forest condition.  Trees inspected were in T10S R24E sections 33, 34, and T11S, R24E sections 2, 3.  Some of the older trees exceed 60’ to 70’.  There are smaller trees around the fringe.  There are blackberry bushes along the roads.  The best collecting area appears to be along a graded road approximately 1 mile west of S.R. 315 just north of Deep Creek on the east side in section 33.

February 26, 1978

Dave and I visited Steve Roman in Orlando.  Just north and west of Orlando we stopped to collect on flowering plum trees.  There was very little coming in to the trees, however, Steve took a new state record, Tortoise Shell.

We then went on to De Land to check on Incisalia henrici.  The colony is located about 1 mile east of I-4 on the south side of S.R. 44.  The host plant is holly, which grows in swampy areas.  Condition are similar at 3 sites.  I have taken henrici – Goldhead State Park and Highlands Hammock State Park.

March 11, [1979]

Dave and I collected at Heckscher Drive and New Berlin Road on plum trees.  I took a Incisalia henrici and Dave got another about 20 minutes later.  Dave caught Psychomorpha euryhoda.  We then both took good series of the day flying moth.  Both are new county records.  The main purpose of the trip was to collect Megathymus pupae and larvae.  We collected at Fernadina Beach, Little Talbot Island State Park, and Eastport.  We believe we have at least two species, M. yuccae and M. cofaqui.  The feeding is different at the 3 locations at Fernandina.  They were in the crowns of the small plant and into the root system at Little Talbot Island State Park.  They were in the larger plants in the crown at Eastport.  The plant is bear grass and the larva was in the root system with the tents protruding from the ground several inches from the main plant.

February 19, 1980

Checked area on Hecksher Drive with Charley Stevens.  The Road Department is constructing a 4 lane road from the zoo to the Gulf Oil tanks at Eastport.  It took out one of the prime spots we took Incisalia henrici last year.  The area on the left side of the road is also being developed, but they have left some of the trees we collected on.  The (park) area just beyond the bridge is still intact and the two large wild plum trees were just starting to bloom.  We also checked the New Berlin Road and Hecksher Drive area.  The trees were budding out and a few blooms were noted.  They should be in full bloom in 7 to 14 days.

February 23, 1980

Checked plum trees at Eastport.  Sighted Incisalia henrici, but did not take.  Also checked bear grass with no results.  Checked Dames Point and Hecksher Drive and cut 5 Spanish Bayonet.  Dave Baggett kept 3, I 2 (female hatched 14 March) Megathymus yuccae. Sighted Mitoura on red cedar at Ft. George.

March 2, 1980

Snow and hard freeze.

March 8, 1980

Checked the pine elfin area to Lake Delancy with John Watts and Dave Baggett.  We figured we were about 1 week early.

Checked white cedar area 5 miles south of Interlachen, Putnam County.  Did not located hesseli, but we did locate a colony of Megathymus cofaqui.  We found the cone shaped egg cases [drawings] first and some old tubes coming out of the ground away from the plants.  Dave found one tube with a pupa in it.  We found 4 larvae by digging into the root system about 12 to 10” under the ground.  Usually there is one main root 2” +/- with shoots running out to the side.  Most of the larvae were in the side shoots of the yucca (bear grass).

March 16, 1980

Took two Incisalia henrici at Eastport.  One forester moth and one dark form of cecrops.  Checked bear grass for yucca skippers.  No results.  Freeze of 2 March did considerable damage to wild plum blooms.

March 17, 1980 and March 20, 1980

Battus polydamas hatched.  Pupated fall of 1979.  Reared on Dutchman’s Pipe.

June 22, 1980

Went from Gainesville by charter bus to Miami.  Then flew from Miami to Quito Ecuador on 23 June 1980.  Then flew to Coca and collected that afternoon.  After boarding the Flotel Orillano on the Rio Napo River in Napo Province.  Collecting Spot I Coca.  Boat moved to Primavera that evening.  Collecting Spot II lights on boat.

June 24, 1980

Took dugouts to collect at Lemoncocha during the day.  Coll. Spot III.

June 25, 1980

Took dugouts to Laguna Taracoa to collect in morning.  Rained during afternoon. Collecting spot IV.

Flotel moved to a new location.

June 26, 1980

Collecting spot V Laguna Taracoa.  Flotel moved to Coca June 27, 1980.  Collecting spot 26 June 80 near Coca at lights VI L. collecting spot at Coca, day, June 27, 1980 VI.  Collecting around boat landing before taking plane to Quito and bus to Puyo.

June 27, 1980

Plane.  En route from Quito to Puyo.  I slept on plane.  Sick.

At 3:45 pm.  We lost Carl!  He was in the bathroom of course.  Some hombre obligingly picked him up and chased us.  The bus turned around and chased it (guides name Fernando). 

Police checkpoints – to check driver’s license because they are most expensive – for a car $150.00 [$1.000.00 U.S. per year].

Gas 20¢ a gallon.  Ecuador and Venezuela are oil producers.  Members of OPEC. 

Toyota truck $10,000.  American cars - $30,000.  New autos, Volvos and Mercedes, $40,000.00 U.S.

Ecuador

3^rd smallest country.

Andes divides land into several parts.

Coast

Coastal lowlands

Sierras or highlands

Amazon jungle

Puyo [is in the] Amazon basin – tea. Export, bananas, coffee, cocoa, beans, sugar cane, cigarettes, rice, pinapple, papayas, mangos.  Potatoes, wheat, and corn in highlands.  Mahogany, cedar from Amazon. 

Economy 40% oil, 40% agricultural products.

NASA tracking station at 11,000 ft high.

Mountains, this is near Volcano Coatopaxi.

June 27, 1980

Pictures at Machochi Valley, Corazón Peak on the road to Puyo.  Rain all thru the Andes.

June 28, 1980

Puyo

Got sick at Puyo.  Collected mostly near the Hotel Turingia.  Most of the party collected 25 km east of Puyo.  Collecting area VII.  El. 3000.  Pastaza Province.

June 29, 1980

Pictures of parrots at shell mira on way to Banos.  [shakey writing]  Trying to write on bus thru the mountains.

June 29, 1980

Rio Tapo.  El. 4000’.  Pastaza Province.  Collecting spot VIII.  Best collecting so far.  Collected along the Rio Suna River.

Pictures of twin falls Agouan Falls [drawing] Pastaza River.

June 29, 1980

Banos.  El. 5800’  Collecting spot IX.

Tungurahua Province.

June 30, 1980

Banos.  El. 5800’.  Collecting spot X.

July 1, 1980

Stayed at the Villa Gertrudis, Banos.

Collected on a trail two blocks west of Villa that goes up the mountain.

Charley Stevens coll. At Rio Negro.  El. 4000’.   Pastaza Province.

Stopped at the Salasaca Indian village and purchased a poncho and 2 wall hangings.

June 22, 1981

[Dominican Republic]

Collecting spot No. I.

Jarabacoa, La Vega Province. El. 1700 ft.

Collecting spot No. II.

Bayacanes, La Vega Province.  El. 400 ft.

Collecting spot No. III.

10 km N.W. of Santiago.  Santiago Province.  El. 500 ft.

June 23, 1981

Collecting spot IV.

Bayacanes. 

Moths at Jarabacoa.

June 24, 1981

Collecting spot V.

Jarabacoa

June 25, 1981

Collecting spot VI

Jarabacoa

June 26, 1981

Collecting spot VII

Bayacanes

Moths at Jarabacoa

June 27, 1981

Collecting spot VIII.  Same as 26 June.

June 28, 1981

Collecting spot IX.

10 km S of Jarabacoa.  El. 3100 ft.

Collecting spot X.

20 km S of Jarabacoa.  El. 3550 ft.

Collecting spot XI.

30 km S of Jarabacoa at Constanza, La Vega Province.

Moths at Jarabacoa.

August 28, 29, 30, [1981]

Collected at Silver Glenn Springs campground, Ocala National Forest.

Took:

Papilio troilus 12.

Papilio palamedes 8.

Papilio cresphontes 3.

Papilio glaucus 3.

Papilio marcellus 3.

Battus philenor.

Only took the “good” swallowtails.  Sighted many more.

Euptychia areolata 2.

Agraulis vanilla nigrior (very common).

Phoebis sennae.

Eurema nicippe.

Catocala lacrymosa form “zelica”.

[hand drawn map with collecting spots marked]