Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) along the Bronx River, Westchester Co. NY

On August 18, 2004 I conservatively counted 12 Harvester butterflies along a two mile stretch of the Bronx River in southern Westchester Co. The river is lined by alder trees for much of its run, all the way into the Bronx in New York City. The butterflies are found among alders not because the tree is used as a food-plant but because of the woolly aphids that often infest the trees. Harvester caterpillars eat the aphids, making the Harvester our only carnivorous butterfly. Click the images for larger pictures.