Little Skipper and King Devil
On this day, there were numerous small European Skippers nectaring on Hawkweeds. As it's name suggests, the small (about 3/4" wingspan) European Skippers are non-native, accidentally introduced to North America at London, Ontario in about 1910, (Alexander Klots, Peterson Field Guide to Butterflies). I noticed that this butterfly had the habit of holding it's forewings at right angle to the hindwings when nectaring, as shown in the picture.
So, it's fitting that this imported butterfly would nectar on this particular hawkweed. There are several Michigan native hawkweed species, but this is probably not one of them. Because it has only basal leaves, and leafless, hairy stems, this hawkweed is probably King Devil Hawkweed (Hieracium pratense), a non-native species.
Seen at Stony Creek Metropark, Michigan USA
Little Skipper and King Devil
On this day, there were numerous small European Skippers nectaring on Hawkweeds. As it's name suggests, the small (about 3/4" wingspan) European Skippers are non-native, accidentally introduced to North America at London, Ontario in about 1910, (Alexander Klots, Peterson Field Guide to Butterflies). I noticed that this butterfly had the habit of holding it's forewings at right angle to the hindwings when nectaring, as shown in the picture.
So, it's fitting that this imported butterfly would nectar on this particular hawkweed. There are several Michigan native hawkweed species, but this is probably not one of them. Because it has only basal leaves, and leafless, hairy stems, this hawkweed is probably King Devil Hawkweed (Hieracium pratense), a non-native species.
Seen at Stony Creek Metropark, Michigan USA