Texas Butterflies December 1-7, 2022

My son David and I took a trip to the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas from December 1-7, 2022. Early December in south Texas is the best time to find rare and unusual species. This trip did not disappoint. We had originally planned to go to south Florida in November to look for Miami Blue, but hurricane Ian made that impossible. To compensate, we opted for a south Texas trip.

Arriving in McAllen on December1, we found the weather to be uncooperative for butterflies with cloudy skies and temperatures in the high 50’s. The decision was made to go to Bentsen State Park to see if we could find any of the Hook-billed Kites that were being reported and to see if we could start our butterfly list. We found 2 of 5 (we would see 4 in one day later in the trip) reported kites in the late afternoon from the hawk tower. Not the best looks as they were distant views. Butterflies were hard to find. The garden at the boat launch proved to be the best location. Here we found a few roosting Gulf Fritillaries, Clouded Skippers, Lyside Sulphurs, Queens, and American Snouts.

December 2 was another day of weather that was going to make it difficult to find butterflies. With this in mine, we headed to University of Texas Rio Grande Campus to look for North America’s first record of Social Flycatcher. The bird has been at the campus for over a year. We looked for a few hours but could not located it. With the weather still not cooperating and reports of a Tropical Parula coming to a water feature at Laguna Atascosa NWR we made the drive. After waiting at the water feature for awhile and no parula, we hiked around a bit and found a Monarch and Clouded Skipper.

After leaving Laguna Atascosa we traveled to a location on Boca Chica Blvd (Hwy 4) known as Smiley Face due to a smiley face painted on a large metal channel marker. This location has produced Xami Hairstreaks in the past. With the temperature finally getting in to the upper 70 range, we began to get some decent butterfly activity. During our 1.5 hour visit (cut short due to the mosquitos) we were able to find Queen, Brown Longtail, Sickle-winged Skipper, Obscure Skipper, Ceranunus Blue, Western Pygmy Blue and Vesta Crescent. No Xami Hairstreak.

After Smiley Face, David suggested we stop at Sable Palm Sanctuary and see what was around. It was 75 degrees but still cloudy. Most of the time was spent at the butterfly garden. We were able to see our first Dusky-blue Groundstreaks, Clydie Ministreak, and Fawn-spotted Skippers among the 13 species recorded.

With some afternoon daylight left, we stopped at Resaca de le Palma State Park. We arrived at 3:45 and started working the garden. We did well here with 19 species in 1.5 hours. Many new species for the trip were added, including a gorgeous fresh Guava Skipper, Purple-washed Skipper, Blue Metalmark and Red-bordered Metalmark. Also in the mix were Mazans Scallopwing, Common Mellana, and Whirlabout.

The morning of December 3 took us back to the Social Flycatcher location. After directions from a local birder, we were able to locate the bird quickly. We also saw birding friends from Michigan. After the successful chase of the flycatcher, we chased after Walker’s Metalmark at Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Field Station on Fish Hatchery Road. The small garden had been hosting Walker’s Metalmarks for at least a week. We missed them. We were too early in the day, as they had been reported as an afternoon species. Along Fish Hatchery Road, we had our first White Peacock, Laviana White Skipper and Little Yellow.

After Fish Hatchery Road, we returned to Resaca de le Palm State Park. We worked the garden for 1.5 hours and came up with many new trip butterflies. Among the 25 species we saw, our best finds were Band-celled Sister and White-striped Longtail.

Our next stopped was Dan Jones yard at Progresso Lakes. Unfortunately, the skies grew cloudy with rain and drizzle returning.  We managed a few new trip butterflies including Giant White and Mexican Yellow.

We decided to make a quick stop at Estero Llano Grande. After getting a quick butterfly update from John Yochum, we went through the butterfly garden near the headquarters and at the far end of the road. Not much happening with butterflies, but many species of birds were added to the trip list.

The next three days were spent at the National Butterfly Center. We were spending 8-9 hours per day. The weather had turned and was excellent for butterflies. There were plenty of butterfliers around that led to multiple chases at the center.

Highlights at the National Butterfly Center from December 4 to December 6
Florida White (Dec 5,6), Giant White (4,5,6), Orange Barred Sulphur (Dec 4), Curved-winged Metalmark (Dec 4,5,6), Mexican Silverspot (Dec 5,6) Malachite (Dec 5,6), Spot-celled Sister (Dec5,6), Pale-spotted Leafwing (Dec 6), Guava Skipper (Dec 4,5,6), Yellow-tipped Flasher (Dec 6), Double-dotted Skipper (Dec 5,6).

In addition to many butterfly and bird highlights, we were able to see many friends (some from Michigan and Ohio) and make some new ones.

Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)
National Butterfly Center
Texas, Hidalgo County
December 5,2022

Spot-celled Sister (Adelpha paroeca)
National Butterfly Center
Texas, Hidalgo County
December 5, 2022

Yellow tipped Flasher
National Butterfly Center
Texas, Hidalgo County
December 6, 2022

Pale-spotted Leafwing (Anaea pithyusa)
National Butterfly Center
Texas, Hidalgo County
December 6, 2022