Observation date: August 25, 2022
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: September 28, 2022
Coordinator notes: This is a male of the Western Branded Skipper...the subspecies ochracea...along the Colorado Eastern Front Range. The Pahaska Skipper (H. pahaska) occurs in this area earlier in the summer (June-July) and also, Leonard's Skipper (H. leonardus subspecies pawnee) the time of year of this submission but more out in the lower foothills and high prairie (they like to feed on the flower spike of Gayfeather - Liatris). The underside of the WBS is variable as you can compare between your two submissions...some have very complete macular bands on the hindwings and others much reduced. The band becomes silvered into higher altitude (about 9000 ft. usually) and also in all of Colorado west of the Continental Divide. Keep looking for Pahaska and Leonard's...Mike
