Butterfly Publication...Reminder Spring is Coming

I just bought a great book about butterflies, Butterflies of Indiana A Field Guide by Jeffrey Bleth. It is an awesome piece of work surpassing identification (a thorough treatment mixing text, photos, phenology, abundance) while including behavior, ecology, natural history, butterfly gardening and watching, host plants, etc. Chock full of information that any naturalist or butterfly watcher can profit by, especially a reminder of the spring that is coming. Yes, Bitterroot Bill called for six more weeks of winter, but Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), the State butterfly, sightings in Montana (warm days) may be only 3 weeks away! The Montana Field Guide has the species account. Tree sap and rotting fruit are the main food sources. This serves them well; they may have the longest lifespan (10-11 months) for butterfly species...that period encompasses winter conditions! In the meantime find something great.

Mourning Cloak