Forty-seven species of butterflies, including two not previously verified in this area, were identified Aug. 27 in a count across four counties.
The Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist Chapter sponsored the count, which took place in parts of Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex and King and Queen.
A press release noted that the eight-hour count found a total of 1,427 butterflies. Species spotted for the first time and awaiting verification from the Butterfly Society of Virginia included the White-M Hairstreak Butterfly and the Harvester Butterfly, both spotted in Gloucester County.
A total of 46 volunteers from across Virginia took part in this second annual count, visiting public parks, and more than 60 private properties and businesses, to conduct the census.
Data will be submitted to the North American Butterfly Association to contribute to the long-term scientific monitoring of butterfly populations and geographical distribution, the release said.

PHOTO BY DAN SCHLANGEN White-M Hairstre...