Butterflies are facinating insects of the lepidoptera family. There are several differnces between butterflies and moths, most common of which is the fact that butterflies are active during the day, and most moths are active at night. Moths have hairy antenae, whereas butterflies have plain clubbed antenae. Typical moth flight tends to be erratic. Butterfly flight patterns vary, but they tend to be consistant among each species.

Butterfly watching is a great way to learn more about nature in general. Butterflies species tend to be attracted to certain nectaring plants, as a source of food when they are in their adult butterfly stage. Equally as important is the food (host) source for their larva (caterpillar) stage. Learning about these plants and the time of year and general habitat you would likely find both will greatly increase your chances of finding a larger number of butterfly species. Unlike birds, butterflies generally do not migrate, with exception to specific species such as Monarch, Mourning Cloak, several Fritillaries, and Cabbage Whites. Butterflies tend to occupy geographic areas where they can readily find both host and nectar plants, and suitable climatic conditions.

Because I am a fairly avid birder, I will often compare butterfly watching to birding. Both require you to observe nature, and can be done at your own pace and skill level. The best places to find butterflies are similar to where you might find birds, usually in transitional areas - borders between meadows and wooded areas and also near water. Your appreciation for butterfly watching is enhanced by the ability to get a good look at the subject you are trying to identify or locate. A good pair of close focus binoculars is ideal for butterfly watching. Some species do allow you to approach quite closely to them, especially early in the morning when they tend to be sluggish from a cool evening.

Butterflies are cold blooded, and need the warmth of the sun to allow them to be active. When it gets too hot, they use their wings to help regulate their body temperature. Butterflies have a great lifestyle. Their main purpose is to eat (as caterpillars), drink (nectar as butterflies), and be merry (find a mate, and lay eggs), and start their life cycle all over again. Butterflies don't live very long, usually a few weeks to a few months - depending on species. Some species have two to four broods per year, others only have one brood.

TEA Members and friends,

"Dragonflies Through Binoculars" is now available. Unfortunately the publisher didn't get my 30 copies processed until the day Paul McGaw went into hospital, and his subsequent illness and untimely death made it impossible for me to start distribution until now.

Those of you who have requested copies by e-mail I will contact personally for confirmation. the other half dozen copies will be available at the price previously quoted: $41.50 including tax. Other people can contact me to pick up a copy or have one mailed out. (TEA members have priority.)

I also have three copies of Phil Schappert's wonderful book "A World for Butterflies" at the ridiculously low price of $31. including tax.

I have just received more copies of "Le Guide des Papillons du Quebec." Indigo.ca let me down badly by cancelling my orders for six books after a four week wait and claiming the book was "unavailable"! But the publisher had no problem delivering them to me in less than a week(!) so I have some copies a $43.60. I will contact those of you who have "orders" in already.

Copies of "A World for Butterflies" and "Papillons" can be picked up from me, preferably at the TEA Meeting Sept.23. I hope to see you at the meeting; it should be a good one.

Carolyn King
Toronto Entomologists' Association
cking@yorku.ca

BINOCULARS for Butterflying - Wed, 18 Aug 1999

Hi, Gord.

Just noticed that you were Butterflying with Gary S.
My old 10x 50 Discoverer B.and Lomb. binoculars finally gave up the ghost and B&l. replaced them under warranty.

The new binocs. focus very closely and are bright. Twice in the last week I've birded/butterflied with Henrietta (O'Neil) at Pt.Pelee and the new glasses are better than the model that they replace.

Thought that you might be interested.

Alf.
rider@xcelco.on. ca

For the information of those tagging monarch butterflies in Ontario, you will require a Wildlife Scientific Collector's Permit. This Permit is required because monarch butterflies (and other large and colorful butterflies species, such as swallowtails) were given protected status last year under our new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.