Observation date: July 14, 2022
Submitted by: Joshua C
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Pretty little butterfly. Spent some time spreading it's wings at various spots and sunning itself on the trail. The ground looked dry to me but it also had it's proboscis out like it was getting nutrients or moisture from the ground. Several times it landed on the ground very close to me. For a long time it stayed in a spot in the shade under some rocks getting rid of waste from it's abdomen (I think). The last photo shows this position. Lifer!
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: July 16, 2022
Coordinator notes: Great field notes, Joshua, and good diagnosis. The behavior you observed is interesting. it clearly has its proboscis inserted in the earthy matrix and it can only extract liquids, so i agree it is after moisture, preferably laden with electrolytes. once in the body the electrolytes are removed and the cleaner, de-salinated liquid is excreted at the back of the abdomen.
