Olympia Marble and Hoary Elfin!

With sunny weather forecasted for North Lambton we thought it would be a good day for butterflies. Cloudy skies contributed to finding zero butterflies in the morning, but after a lunch break our luck turned when we saw an Olympia Marble that even cooperated for a photo! This species is more common in eastern Ontario, but there is an isolated population near Southern Lake Huron. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014

Lyre-leaved Rockcress

We found some nice pockets of Lyre-leaved Rockcress which is the host plant for the Olympia Marble. At one point, Deryl recognized something was odd and we realized that a pair were mating!!

We both added another butterfly to our "Life Lists" upon finding this Hoary Elfin! They normally perch close to the ground and the flight period is from late March to late June.

As we stood on the sand, a pair of Hoary Elfin connected and began mating! This butterfly species is also typically found in northern Ontario, but an isolated population occurs in and around Pinery Provincial Park. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014

Brown Elfin are more common than the previous listed species. They, along with the Olympia Marble and Hoary Elfin all over winter at the chrysalis stage.

The habitat range of the Red Admiral includes urban areas, northern forests and even tundra. They overwinter as an adult, but rarely in Ontario. The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario, Hall, Jones, Guidotti, Hubley, 2014