Date: 04/30/2009

Number: 1

All butterflies were apparently holdovers from last fall (faded, and several rather worn). All were presumably moving north.

1) 15 Apr. – Buzzard Island (NW, inland side of St. Helena Sound), Beaufort Co., SC – 2 monarchs along marsh-upland ecotone


2) 16 Apr. – North Williman Island (just south of Combahee River), Beaufort Co., SC – 1 monarch along marsh-upland ecotone


3) 18 Apr. – Kiawah Island (northeast end), Charleston Co., SC – 10-12 monarchs marsh-upland ecotone, at least one female seemingly displaying interest in ovipositing on Swallow-wort (Seutera angustifolium), a perennial member of the milkweed family that specializes in sandy, brackish, open soils near the marsh-upland ecotone. I have reared monarch on this plant. Swallow-wort is also used as a larval host by Queen (Danaus gilippus). However, fresh (locally produced) monarchs are very rare in the immediate Coastal Zone. Perhaps I’ll see a freshly emerged specimen in the next month or so!


4) 19 Apr. – Ft. Johnson, James Island, Charleston Co., SC. – 1 monarch


5) 22 Apr. – James Island, Charleston Co., SC. – 1 monarch


6) 24 Apr. – Ft. Johnson, James Island, Charleston Co., SC. – 2 monarchs


7) 25 Apr. – Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Bluff Unit, Clarendon Co., SC – 2 monarchs

Charleston Co, SC

Latitude: 32.8 Longitude: -80

Observed by:
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