Bear Lake Bog

Visited the Bear Lake Bog Area today where Mo and I used to run a bait trail for moths. The whole place was very over grown but the little dirt road we used to drive in on could be found, I believe we found the old trail we used to bait as well. Getting in there is a hard pull now with all the buildup, just setting out some traps would be a better way to go to sample for the species we used to find there.

The little dirt road we used to pull in on, looking north toward what used to be the enterance.

Looking south in the direction of where we used to park.

This is what had been an open dirt flat gravel area to the west.

This I believe could be the old trail Mo and I used to use. Not sure.

A Birthday Wish

Today we wish a Happy Birthday to a dear friend, Michigan’s leading Lepidopterist, and the author of Michigan Butterflies & Skippers,
Mogens C. “Mo” Nielsen.

Mo Nielsen, Happy Birthday Mo!

Bear Lake Bog Area

Tomorrow I plan on visiting the Bear Lake Bog area and see if I can find the old trail Mo and I used to bait years ago. The trail there was particularly good for such Catocala species as C. relicta, C. sordida, C. gracilis, C. amica and others. Lots of Birch trees and Blue Berry and other northern plants you would normally find farther north.

Lithophane leeae

New species of Lithophane collected in Arizona

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

With some help from Bob Kriegel I contacted a place locally that offers the wild species of Lead Plant for sale. It is my hope this year to find and rear Catocala amestris, the larvae feed on Lead Plant. With any luck I'll get Catocala whitneyi or one of several other Lead Plant feeders.