Speranza exonerata Ferguson, 2008 (Geometridae: Ennominae: Macariini) is a stenotopic moth only known from the northeastern USA. This species was reared from ova obtained from captive females in 2008 and 2009; the immature stages and life history are described. Both a larval host plant experiment and the discovery of wild larvae demonstrate that Speranza exonerata feeds on oak (Quercus L.), and does not feed on blueberry (Vaccinium L.). Larvae feed on scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia Wangenh.), including both leaves and catkins, and Speranza exonerata may be a specialist on new growth of this plant. Ova are dormant through late summer, autumn, and winter, and hatch in early spring. Larval development is rapid (3–4 weeks), and corresponds to the availability of new growth of scrub oak. The pupal period is also brief (1–2 weeks), with adult moths flying in early summer.

A new subspecies of Anthanassa drusilla, ssp rioverde, is described from Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This new subspecies is isolated from all other known subspecies of A. drusilla by at least 2000 km, and its closest taxon based on wing pattern is Anthanassa drusilla higginsi, from Cerro Neblina, Venezuela. To our knowledge, the species is endemic to the region of Poços de Caldas Plateau (Minas Gerais), a region of high natural radiation and heavily impacted by mining. Since the entire geographic distribution and conservation status of this subspecies is unknown, it is highly recommended that immediate measures are taken to minimize the environmental impact on the area of occurrence of this butterfly.

We report results of a ten year study to understand the distribution, breeding and migration of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in Arizona. We observed breeding and migratory monarch populations throughout the state and small overwintering aggregations in some locations. Migration occurred to known migration destinations in both California and Mexico. We found that the destination is not random. Wind significantly affects whether migrating monarchs are recovered. This study provides new insights into the breeding, overwintering and migratory strategies of Arizona monarchs.

The White Mountain Arctic butterfly [WMA; Oeneis melissa semidea (Say, 1828)] is endemic to the alpine zone of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA. Although it has been listed as “imperiled”, many biological characteristics of the WMA important for its conservation assessment and management are unknown. We conducted field studies in 2011 and 2012 to further characterize the WMA's demography, life history, and behavior. In both years, adults emerged in mid-June and occurred on Mts. Washington and Jefferson in association with Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii). On both mountains, adult numbers generally were very low, suggesting that the population has declined considerably since its first description. Adults dispersed among some of the meadows on Mt. Washington, but we were unable to confirm if they moved between Mts. Washington and Jefferson. Adults generally congregated on rocky ledges and out-croppings, where males employed both perching and patrolling mate-locating strategies. In addition to elevation (high points in the landscape), adults used other cues when choosing sites at which to congregate. Finally, although many other Oeneis species engage in male territoriality, our observations suggest that WMA males are not truly territorial.

The accepted normal range of the funereal duskywing skipper, Erynnis funeralis (Hesperiidae), is generally considered to be the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and western South America from Colombia to northern Argentina and Chile. According to various records, however, adult funeralis have been observed in a variety of locations throughout the eastern half of central North America, sometimes thousands of kilometers outside its accepted range. These individuals are usually conceptualized as non-reproductive strays, but different lines of evidence (e.g. the observations of both males and females, the fresh condition of most adults, the recurrence of observations in the same locations at similar times of year in different years) suggest that funeralis regularly establishes seasonal breeding populations in the eastern half of central North America. To test this hypothesis, I examined reports of observations of funeralis throughout this region for evidence of 1) regular as opposed to random presence in the East, 2) eastern as opposed to western eclosion, 3) regular as opposed to random expansion throughout the East, and 4) reproductive activity. The results revealed evidence of all four phenomena. Consequently, I concluded that instead of being conceptualized as an irregular, non-reproducing stray, funeralis should be conceptualized as a regular seasonal immigrant that establishes temporary breeding populations in the eastern half of central North America during the warmer months of the year.

Wind tunnel studies provide a valuable experimental approach that can be used to investigate the influence of specific environmental parameters and to make generalizations about insect behavior. In this study, we designed an experiment to test the sensitivity of butterflies to isolated environmental parameters in the context of understanding edge responses. We tested the behavior of 21 different butterfly species in response to certain stimuli, including food source, feeder color, temperature, and UV light. Certain butterfly species (e.g. Heliconius melpomene and Papilio polytes) were particularly active in the wind tunnel setup. All butterfly species tested preferred blue feeders over white, yellow or pink. Investigation of the UV content of the different feeders and the butterflies' preferred nectar plant showed a similar wavelength response, which could indicate a UV preference in butterflies. We also observed species-dependent temperature preferences. Papilio lowii had a significant preference for the warm side (36.0°C) of the wind tunnel, whereas Papilio polytes showed a significant preference for the cold side (25.3°C).

The genus Euceratia is reviewed by the re-descriptions of two known species, E. castella and E. securella, and the description of a new species from California, E. intermedia n. sp. Euceratia is compared to other genera of Ypsolophidae. Diagnostic characters are provided for the three species of Euceratia and their distribution in the Nearctic Region is discussed. Imagoes and genitalia of all the species of Euceratia are illustrated.