Observation date: May 18, 2020
Date notes: May 18th 2020
Submitted by: Anna Robins
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: White Ranch West in Golden, CO. First day of this year's butterfly monitoring. Over 7,000' altitude. Usually don't see these guys until June/July. Hung around while I was walking in a herbaceous upland area. Clear, sunny day in the mid 50's.
Status: Temporary Colonist
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: June 05, 2020
Coordinator notes: Your suggested ID is correct. The springs of 2017, 2018, and this year have all been above average temperature-wise in CO, which may account for the early arrival of colonist species like the Variegated Fritillary as well as the early blooming times for many plants.
