Ryall, M.E. (2008 June 11). Butterfly corner. Washburn County Register, p. 17.

Butterfly corner
by Mary Ellen Ryall

Saturday morning brought another surprise to the Monarch Butterfly Habitat. Bob Hasman, Alec Hopke, and Dave Vanmoorlehelm were working in the Native Wildflower and Butterfly Garden. Bob was pulling out spotted knapweed, an invasive species, from area 2. The boys were watering the shrubs and trees. Alec performs Community Service hours at the habitat. Dave visits family in Shell Lake during the summer. Harry and Karla Durand, neighbors’ close to the habitat, beckoned Bob to come over to their property. Karla wanted to know if Bob was one of the butterfly people. She wanted to show him an insect that she couldn’t identify.

Bob picked the creature up, which was attached to the Durand’s garage. Gingerly he carried it by its closed wings. By then there were about six people looking at the magnificent insect. The moth was large with antennas that looked like feathers. The moth has bronze feet were magnificent and the moth walked on one of the attendee’s finger before it flew off. Harry said, “It is as big as a small bird.”

Bill Albright came strolling by shortly thereafter and identified the moth as a Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia) moth by its description. Thank you Bill. It turns out the moth belongs to the giant silkworm moth family. The wingspread was about 6 inches and the moth was brightly colored.

There is always something new to amaze the curious of heart at the Monarch Butterfly Habitat in Shell Lake. Saturday tours are at 1:30 p.m. and show a work in progress. Learn about butterflies and native plants in the identification class. The tour is free and open to the public. Tour is cancelled if rain.