Group learns about butterflies by catching and releasing them with Medina County Park District

HARRISVILLE TWP. — A group learned more about species of butterflies in the area by catching and releasing them as part of a hike around Killbuck Lakes on Wednesday with the Medina County Park District. The group observed species like the pearl crescent, wild indigo duskywing, clouded sulphur, eastern tailed blue and viceroy butterfly during their hike. Naturalist Mark Ludwig said the species encountered on Wednesday are commonly found at Killbuck Lakes. The Medina County Park District also conducts butterfly surveys that are separate from Wednesday's program, he said. At the park district, 30 volunteers help with the butterfly surveys, Ludwig said. Teams go out once a month to count and record the number of butterflies as they hike along certain trails from the beginning of April until the end of October. The park district only surveys Oenslager Nature Center, Letha House Park and Killbuck Lakes, he said. Surveys are part of a long-term monitoring of Ohio butterflies program put on by the Ohio Lepidopterists. The following are the number of recorded butterflies across the three parks: Nearly 25,000 butterflies across 38 species at Oenslager Nature Center from 2004 to 2024. About 15,000 butterflies across 35 species at Letha House Park from 2013 to 2024. About 15,000 butterflies across 37 species at Killbuck Lakes from 2017 to 2024. "Like a lot of things, butterflies are an indicator species of the overall health of our environment," Ludwig said. A different butterfly program will be hosted by the park district from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at Oenslager Nature Center. The program will allow attendees to help tag monarch butterflies. Tagging is done as part of Monarch Watch's research efforts to collect data on the migration patterns of monarch butterflies. Staff will provide instructions, nets and information about butterflies. All ages are welcome to the free event, and no registration is necessary. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.