Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis mutica)
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 6:37 pm
This is the only resident species of Riodinid here
in my state (Illinois). It has barely a "toehold" left
here in the state with only a "very few" selected fens
(wetlands) supporting it; which are protected spaces !
Of coarse, there may be some un-discovered sites but,
for the most part its not a species likely to be encoutered
by us "men of the net". Lovely, little dark brown species
with faint silvery ribbon-like markings (both sides) that glint
handsomely in the sunlight of its marshy enclaves.
The species has a strong showing in Missouri/Arkansas as
well as northern Indiana/southern Michigan. Southern Wisconsin
also boasts modest populations.
However, too much land developement and agricultural land use
(here) has largely marginalized this delightful and dappled species.
in my state (Illinois). It has barely a "toehold" left
here in the state with only a "very few" selected fens
(wetlands) supporting it; which are protected spaces !
Of coarse, there may be some un-discovered sites but,
for the most part its not a species likely to be encoutered
by us "men of the net". Lovely, little dark brown species
with faint silvery ribbon-like markings (both sides) that glint
handsomely in the sunlight of its marshy enclaves.
The species has a strong showing in Missouri/Arkansas as
well as northern Indiana/southern Michigan. Southern Wisconsin
also boasts modest populations.
However, too much land developement and agricultural land use
(here) has largely marginalized this delightful and dappled species.