Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1368398

Observation date: August 14, 2023
Submitted by: rtsmith
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: As I noted in my earlier report (sighting #1368256), on my way home from a medical appointment, at about 10:50 AM (EDT), I stopped by the Wildlife Restoration portion of Pennsylvania State Game Lands #333 on the east side of Shiloh Road, near I-99 east of State College, PA. I do this occasionally to look for Monarch Butterflies to report to the Journey North web site. Today there were numerous small white and yellow butterflies fluttering about. But what initially caught my eye was an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail nectaring among the thistle. A few patient minutes later (at about 11:00 AM EDT), I spotted the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) shown in the included photograph. Like the Swallowtail, it also appeared to be nectaring on the abundant thistle. At the time, the air pressure was 28.68 inches and beginning to drop, the air temperature was 73°F and rising, the dew point was 68°F, the humidity was 83% and beginning to drop, with no wind under fair skies. Latitude: 40.851° Longitude: -77.812° - Tim
Status: Migrant
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: August 17, 2023
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Pennsylvania, Centre County