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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2014)
Applegater Summer 2014 The butterflies of summer by lINdA kAppEN Pine White The Pine White (Nephasia menapia) (see photos at right), whose habitat is coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, belongs to the butterfly family Pieridae. The caterpillar host plants are pines and firs. Adults nectar on composites and monarda (a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, e.g., bee balm, horsemint, bergamot, etc.). This butterfly has a wingspan of up to two inches. Males (see photo) are immaculately white while females are creamy white. Both have black markings on forewing tips; females have orange-red edgings. The Pine White is considered a primitive butterfly with its life history being unique to the butterfly family of Pieridae. Only three butterflies in our Cascadia region are known to have larvae that feed on conifers: Pine Whites, Western Pine Elfin and Juniper Hairstreak (aka Cedar Hairstreak), which feed on junipers and cedars. Eggs are deposited on pine needles over winter. Then the larvae feed on spring growth. They can be seen flying as adults from late June to early October. Their flight is weak, and they often look like they are floating down from the treetops. Pine Whites are a pleasure to watch in the Western Pine Elfin summer and are easily approachable. Every 20 to 30 years a natural phenomenon occurs when there is a massive outbreak of Pine Whites. In 2010, the Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon experienced a three-year population explosion of Pine Whites. The butterflies were described as looking like a snowstorm in summer. A video and interview about this rare occurrence can be viewed at http://www. pbs.org/newshour/bb/science-jan-june12- pinebutterfly_03-12/. I hope I am around for the next outbreak, which would be an extraordinary thing to witness. Western Pine Elfin The Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon) (see photo below) is another butterfly using pines for its larval host plant. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae and is of the subfamily Theclini (hairstreaks). They nectar on many spring blooms such as dandelions, lupine, buckwheat, pussy paws and pussy willow catkins. Males will also use mud. It is a small, tailless butterfly with a wingspan of up to one and a half inches. Its colors range from brown to purplish brown; females are more orange. The Western Pine Elfin’s habitat is pine forests with meadow openings. Being a spring-to-early summer butterfly, it is more likely to be seen in early spring in lower elevation meadows and higher altitudes in summer depending on seasonal weather conditions. Eggs are laid singly at the base of young pine needles, on which the larvae feed. Pupae overwinter in a physiological state called diapause (dormancy). In spring, males emerge first, perching on small trees and shrubs to wait for females. Females spend their time flying from nectar flowers at meadows to higher-elevation larval host plants. While taking photos on the edges of a 13 meadow in early spring, I observed a male Western Pine Elfin repeatedly returning to perch on the same Oregon Grape plant, even though I was standing next to the plant waiting for photo opportunities. This butterfly sits with closed wing, allowing you to see its remarkable identifying marks with bold patterns. It’s another one of nature’s artistic beauties. Linda Kappen humbugkapps@hotmail.com Ed. Note: Linda Kappen earned a naturalist certification from Siskiyou Field Institute and hosts two-day butterfly courses there. All butterfly photos by Linda Kappen. Pine White female Pine White male recreation • Photography. Everywhere. Pick up Oregon’s good birding sites and Anderson Paragliding Association website (www. your camera and see what you can find. Butte/Sterling Ditch as an IBA (Important rvhpa.org). On-the-road opportunities • Wildflower discovery. Begins Bird Area). • Bicycling. The country roads and in early spring with grouse flowers and In-the-air recreation manzanitas and is fabulous even in July at • Paragliding. Maybe you’d rather be a back roads offer glorious rides, though higher elevations. The botanical diversity of bird than look at birds. Woodrat Mountain shoulders are slim on main roads, so be the Siskiyous is on display in the Applegate! is famous among paragliders. The 12th cautious! Cycle Oregon came through the • Wildlife viewing. Try the wildlife annual Rat Race/Sprint Paragliding Applegate a few years ago, cycling over blind at Lower Squaw Lake. Keep your Competition will be held this year from Grayback Mountain (for experts only!) eyes open for bears on a trail. Cougar June 22 - 28, with a practice day on June and through the ghost town of Buncom. sightings are rare. Other possibilities for 21. Registration is closed, but come and The Buncom post office opened just for quiet, sharp-eyed walkers include fishers, watch. Check it out at mphsports.com the occasion. ring-tail cats, bobtail cats, coyotes, and or at the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding and • Scenic driving. It’s gorgeous in the Applegate, whether in a car or on a porcupines. Anyone can spot ospreys at Applegate Lake. Just look up. • Butterfly viewing. “Butterflies of unrivaled beauty f l u t t e r n e a r by” (from the Fall 2013 Applegater). Check out the butterfly article above. • B i r d i n g . The Applegate is a great place for bird-watchers. The Audubon Society of Portland lists the Camping at Jackson Campground Combine scenic driving with wine-tasting Applegate River and along the Applegate River. in the Applegate. Best done with a designated driver Photo: sououtdoorprogram.files.wordpress.com or in a limo. Photo: antiwinesnob.com. Reservoir as one of from page 12 motorcycle. Take the back roads. Get a map. Explore. Ball sports • Tennis. The tennis court at the Applegate School is available when school is not in session. • Volleyball. There’s a court at Applegate Lake. Horseshoe pits too. Other • Picnicking. Picnic grounds at Applegate Lake, Squaw Lakes, Jackson Campground, Cantrall-Buckley, and McKee Bridge (alas for the loss of the Wayside Park!)—or just spread a blanket in a beautiful spot and open a basket of barbecued chicken, ripe peaches, and a bottle of local wine. • Camping. You can find campgrounds at Applegate Lake, Squaw Lakes, Cantrall- Buckley, Jackson Campground (no trailers), and primitive campsites on USFS land where you can “get away from it all”—or get to it all, depending on what “it” is. • Wine-tasting. Is this outdoor recreation? If so, there’s plenty in the Applegate! Diana Coogle dcoogle@laughdogpress.com Ed. Note: Land ownership in the Applegate is a checkerboard of public and private properties. Private land, which is not always marked as such, is off limits—unless you gain prior approval of the property owner.
