A few tips regarding butterfly collecting in Alberta:

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1 A few tips regarding butterfly collecting in Alberta: Although most habitat in the Edmonton region is privately-owned, roadsides throughout the region can provide excellent collecting with no permission or permits required. Adjacent unfenced areas are generally OK for collecting as well, but few unfenced areas can be found close to the city, but the countryside is crossed by a grid of roads passing through many habitats and are worth exploring. Permits for some protected areas may also be available check with the conference organizers. Note: Although permission is needed to collect on private (fenced) land, it is worth asking as many landowners will allow access if asked. Boreal Forest and Bogs: If you wish to hunt for boreal species, head North! Take any of the Highways or major roads north of the City for 1-3 hours and you can find an abundance of boreal forest and bog habitat. Most towns have hotel or motels, and there are many public campsites. There is an abundance of public land throughout this region where one can collect without permission or problems. Take insect repellent and expect to get your feet wet! The Rocky Mountains and Foothills: Heading west of Edmonton for 2-3 hours will get you into the Rocky Mountain foothills, and another hour to the mountains. This region can be accessed by heading west to Hinton and/ or southwest to Nordegg. The Forestry Trunk road is an unpaved all-weather road that runs through the foothills the full length of the Rocky Mountains. With a few minor exceptions, it passes through public lands where one can collect without permits or permission. The collecting here is excellent, with a large variety of boreal and subalpine species, including species of Colias, Pieris, Erebia, Boloria, Speyeria and many others. There are numerous parks and campgrounds where one can camp, and a number of towns and villages within an hours drive with motel-hotel accommodations. Camping is also possible in many areas. Since this is a mountainous region you should be prepared for rain showers or worse, and be bear conscious. The Grasslands and Badlands: For those seeking grasslands and badlands insects, head south and southeast for 3-4 hours to the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan River valley regions. Most of the region is settled, and most of the land is fenced for cattle pasture. Collecting here is mainly along roadsides, although many landowners will grant permission to collect if asked. There are also a number of public Recreational areas and free camping sites where collecting is permitted. Mosquitoes can be a problem, so take both sun-screen and insect repellent.

2 Some Select Collecting Locations: Battle River From Camrose go SW on Hwy 13 then south on Hwy 56. There is a parking lot just north of the bridge across the Battle River. The lakeshore and nearby ditches are good for many common prairie butterflies. The slopes can be accessed on the east side of the parking lot through the pasture. Prairie, boreal/parkland, roadside, riparian, small lake, small river. The south-facing slopes are partially badlands. Car access to the parking lot. Foot access elsewhere. You should get permission from the landowners if you plan to explore the slopes. Permits are not needed. Epinotia xandana (Tortricidae) in April. Wagner Natural Area (Wagner Bog) Take Hwy 16 west from Edmonton to just past the Hwy 44 overpass. Go south on Range Rd. 270 and immediatly go east on the short service road until you reach the parking lot at the end.

3 There is a map of the trail network located just past the main entrance, including boardwalks through the fens. open field, aspen forest, spruce forest, fen. Car access to the parking lot. Foot access elsewhere with boardwalks through wet areas. Collecting permits are required in Provincial Natural Areas. All observations or collection records would be appreciated by the Wagner Natural Area Society wagner@fanweb.ca. Ancylis goodelliana Tortricidae in May Argyrotaenia repertana Tortricidae in May Jutta Arctic (Oeneis jutta) Nymphalidae in June, best in even years Kleskun Hill Natural Area From Grande Prairie take Hwy 2 N to Hwy 43. Take Hwy 43 E for about 20 km until you see a small sign for Kleskun Hills. Go north for about 3 km and then W for 1 km to the parking lot. The hills are visible to the south from the parking lot. Foot paths wind through the various hills. prairie, parkland, one of the largest protected pieces of prairie remaining in the Peace River region. Car access to the parking lot. Foot access through the hills. None in the natural area. Camping and recreational facilities are available nearby.

4 Collecting permits are required in Provincial Natural Areas. Alberta Parks would greatly appreciate any collection records. Alberta Arctic (Oeneis alberta) Nymphalidae in May Twelve Foot Davis From Grande Prairie, take Hwy 2 north to the town of Peace River. On the east side of the river, take Hwy 2 to the road up to Twelve Foot Davis which is up on the hill overlooking the town. Parking is available at the top. Various trails network through the hill. prairie, parkland. Car access to the parking lot. Foot and ATV access through the hill. Free camping is available nearby at Strong Creek Campground (about 12 km SW of Peace River on Hwy 684). Alberta Arctic (Oeneis alberta) Nymphalidae in May Uhler s Arctic (Oeneis uhleri) Nymphalidae in May Langton s Forester (Alypia langtoni) Noctuidae in May

5 Dunvegan Provincial Park From Grande Prairie, take Hwy 2 north past Rycroft. The park entrance is located immediately past the long bridge spanning the Peace River. The interesting slope is across the highway and clearly visible from the campground. prairie, parkland, riparian, large river. Car access in the campground. Foot access up the very steep south-facing slope. No trails and not an easy climb. Camping is available in the park for a fee. Permits are required for collecting within the campground. The steep slope across the road is outside the park and permits are not needed there. Light traps placed high up on the slopes and at the top can be very productive for disjunct prairie species. Cardinal Divide From Hinton take Hwy 16 SW about 3 km and then go S on Hwy 40 to the town of Cadomin. From Cadomin continue south on the rough gravel road until you crest a hill in the subalpine with the parking lot for Cardinal Divide.

6 Well worn trails extend off of the parking lot. alpine, subalpine, talus slopes. A truck is recommended since the gravel road is quite rough. From the parking lot it is only foot access and sturdy footwear is necessary. Cheap camping is available at Prospect Creek (Whitehorse Provincial Park) between Cadomin and Cardinal divide. Motel rooms with kitchens are available in Cadomin. Collecting permits are required. an undescribed Tinagma species is common amongst the Dryas patches on the slopes in July. Alberta Fritillary (Boloria albertae) in the talus slopes. Labrador Sulphur (Colias nastes) in July. Since this is a high mountain locality you should be aware of severe weather and bears. This is one of only a few sites where you can easily drive right up to the alpine. Pakowki Dunes From Medicine Hat go SW on Hwy 3 to Hwy 887. Take Hwy 887 S past Orion and go west on Twp Rd. 52. Follow this gravel road through several intersections. At the T-intersection go north until you reach a gate at a cemetary. Park near the cemetary. Walk through the gate and the closest dunes are about 600 m NNE. Flat prairie, dunes, some scattered trees.

7 Car-accessable to the gate, please respect the signs at the gate and do not drive into the dunes since there are many rare plants and the prairie is very flammable. You can camp adjacent to the cemetary. The holder of the grazing lease has no problem with people being there and collecting providing they do not drive there or make fires. Eucosma fandana Tortricidae (abundant here, known from only 2 sites in AB) Eucosma fernaldana Tortricidae Choristoneura zapulata Tortricidae Xenotemna pallorana Tortricidae Schinia avemensis (protected) Ruddy Copper (Lycaena rubidus) in July An idling engine can easily spark a fire on the dry grasses. Buffalo From Medicine Hat take Hwy 1 NW just past Suffield. Go N on Hwy 884 to Jenner and then E on Hwy 555. Take Hwy 886 N until you cross the Red Deer River. The small campground is on the N side of the river to the W of the Hwy. Good collecting sites are available in and around the campground, and also on the E side of the Hwy opposite the campground. Riparian forest, dune, prairie, river. Car-accessable to the campground. Free camping.

8 Tischeria admirabilis Tischeriidae Mompha stellella Coleophoridae Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia) in May, on hilltops and open cottonwood forests This campground is rarely busy. Bindloss From Medicine Hat take Hwy 41A E to Hwy 41. Take Hwy 41 N to Hwy 555. Go W on Hwy for about 13 km and go N. Just before the bridge across the Red Deer River on the E side of the road is a small campground. There are a few pull in spots to camp. Rich shrubby riparian, prairie, river. Car-accessable to the campground. Free camping. Recavicula hospes Tortricidae (only known location in Alberta) This campground is rarely busy.

9 Jenner rodeo grounds From Medicine Hat take Hwy NW to Suffield, then go N on Hwy 884 past Jenner. As you start descending into the large Red Deer River valley there is a dirt road on the E side of the Hwy just S of the bridge across the river. There are several places to camp adjacent to the rodeo grounds. The best place for collecting is the badlands south of the road into the rodeo grounds, especially the western-most valley that heads S. Riparian forest, prairie, river, badlands. Car-accessable to the rodeo grounds. Free camping. Ochromolopis ramapoella Epermeniidae Protogygia albertae Noctuidae (known from 2 locations globally) This camping area usually has a few people camping there, but there is normally plenty of space to camp. It is best to avoid the area during the rodeo which is on a weekend in July. This is a very popular collecting spot because of its accessability and excellent badlands. Kootenay Plains near Whirlpool Point

10 From Red Deer take Hwy 11 W for about 238 km, just past Abraham Lake and at the W boundary of the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve. There is free camping at the above coordinates, but it is difficult to find. It is essentially rough wheel-tracks through the ditch on the S side of the highway. There is a small network of roads there that lead to several campsites. There is also pay-camping at the Two O Clock Creek Campground that is easier to find and access that is located a few km E on the highway. Boreal forest, montane grasslands, dunes, swift glacial river. The free camping is rough so you should have a truck, though it can be done carefully with a car. The Two O Clock Creek Campground is car-accessable. Free camping outside the Reserve, pay camping inside. None outside the Reserve, permits are needed for collecting within the Reserve (where Two O Clock Creek Campground is located as well as the most interesting habitats). Archips eleagnana Tortricidae (very common) Clepsis fucana Tortricidae This is a high mountain area and you should be prepared for difficult weather conditions and bears. Porcupine Hills, Skyline Road From Lethbridge take Hwy 3 W past Fort Macleod. Go N on Hwy 2 to Claresholm and then W on Hwy 520. Head to the crest of the Porcupine Hills and go S on Skyline Road. The pull-off spot is on the W side almost immediately past the intersection.

11 If this pull-off spot is full, other camping spots are available. At the intersection of Hwy 520 and Skyline Rd., continue N on East Trout Creek Rd. There is a pull-off spot just past the intersection on the W side. There is also a nice site with large Douglas Fir about 5 km further N on the E side of the road. There is good collecting there as well as the steep S-facing grassland before you crest the hills on Hwy 520. Boreal forest, montane grasslands, dunes. The pull-off spot can be manuevered carefully with a car. Free camping outside the Reserve, pay camping inside. Xenotemna pallorana Tortricidae Clifford E. Lee Natural Area From Edmonton take Whitemud Drive W through to 79 Ave NW and then go S on Range Road 263. Go W on Willow Road and S on Sanctuary Road. The parking lot is clearly labelled and connects up with the foot paths. Wetland, aspen parkland, boreal forest. Car access to the parking lot, foot travel elsewhere with extensive boardwalks through the wetalnds.

12 Collecting permits are required in Provincial Natural Areas. Alberta Parks would greatly appreciate any collection records.