Midlands Chapter — Clemson Sandhills Research & Education Center — May 6, 2017

Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter Trip Report
Clemson Sandhills Research and Education Center
Columbia, SC

Overnight temperatures dropped to 49 degrees so we decided to begin our walk at 12:00 instead of 10:00. The skies were mostly sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 60’s, but it was windy. Part of our walk took us through the woods which was a welcome respite from the wind. Ten years ago on this date, the Midlands Chapter took their first walk in this area. At the end is a comparison of species then and now. In attendance were Susan Creed, Jean Fontaine and Dave and Marty Kastner.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 1
Spicebush Swallowtail 1
Palamedes Swallowtail 5
Cloudless Sulphur 1
Summer Azure 1
Azure species 2
Eastern Tailed-Blue 1
Variegated Fritillary 10
American Lady 1
Common Buckeye 14
Red-spotted Purple 1
Silver-spotted Skipper 3
White Checkered-Skipper 3
Fiery Skipper 1
Lace-winged Roadside-skipper 1 (FOY)

Here is a comparison of species from ’07 to ’17.
’07 – 10 species, ’17 – 14 species
Seen in ’07 but not in ’17 – Sleepy Orange, Eastern Comma, Clouded Skipper.
Seen in ’17 but not in ’07 – Spicebush Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail,
Eastern Tailed-Blue, Red-spotted Purple, White Checkered-Skipper,
Fiery Skipper and Lace-winged Roadside-skipper.

Marty Kastner
Richland County, SC