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Life Stages Diagram
The bars in this diagram show approximate times of the year when the butterfly will be present, in Nova Scotia, in its various life stages.

The dates shown for the adult stage are based on actual reports for Nova Scotia. The majority of reports will be within the period shown, but small numbers of adults will be earlier or later.

Dates for egg, larva and pupa are based on what information was available regarding time periods for eggs to develop, and typical time required for pupation. Like the adults, some records can be expected outside the date ranges we have shown. We caution that dates for these immature stages are mostly conjectural.

Harvester - Feniseca tarquinius
[Harvester image]
Harvester - Elbow Lake - 2013-06-20
Photo © Phil Schappert
What's this?
Status in Nova Scotia
Difficult to find, but certainly present.

Flight Period
Mid-June to early September.

Habitat
Wet, shrubby habitats, typically near alders.

Larval Foodplants
Larva feeds on wooly aphids, on alder (Alnus spp.).

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
None.

Notes
This species is unique in that it is the only butterfly in North America with a carnivorous larva. The adults also partially depend on the prey species- they can be found sipping the sugary exudate given off by woolly aphids.

Further Reading


Harvester - Burnside, NS, 2008-08-23
Harvester - Burnside, NS - 2008-08-23
2008-08-23
Photo © Peter Payzant
Harvester - Burnside, NS, 2008-08-23
Harvester - Burnside, NS - 2008-08-23
2008-08-23
Photo © Peter Payzant
Harvester - Burnside, NS, 2008-08-23
Harvester - Wooly alder aphids (Harvester prey) - Burnside, NS - 2008-08-23
2008-08-23
Photo © Peter Payzant
Harvester - Apple River, NS, 2009-08-03
Harvester - Apple River, NS - 2009-08-03
2009-08-03
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Harvester - Apple River, NS, 2009-08-03
Harvester - Apple River, NS - 2009-08-03
2009-08-03
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS, 2013-07-20
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS - 2013-07-20
2013-07-20
Photo © Phil Schappert
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS, 2013-07-20
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS - 2013-07-20
2013-07-20
Photo © Phil Schappert
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS, 2013-08-31
Harvester - Female with woolly aphids - Roaches Pond Park, NS - 2013-08-31
2013-08-31
Photo © Phil Schappert
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS, 2013-09-04
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS - 2013-09-04
2013-09-04
Photo © Phil Schappert
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS, 2013-09-05
Harvester - Roaches Pond Park, NS - 2013-09-05
2013-09-05
Photo © Phil Schappert