Observation date: May 27, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Time: 1:00 p.m. Elevation: 8,178 ft. (lower montane). General Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy, with a few raindrops falling here and there. Moderately breezy (12-14 mph). Observation Notes: This is the only pine elfin I saw the entire trip. It was perching on a young Ponderosa Pine (pictured), so I'm guessing it was either a male looking for females or a female looking to lay eggs. I released it (and all butterflies this day) at the point of capture.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: June 27, 2018
Coordinator notes: Correctly identified. "Perch" is a widely used term for butterflies but it does not very well describe their mate-location behavior. There are better terms for this. If you are interested in reading about them, on the computer go to this address: http://dspace.library.colostate.edu and search "Papilio, New Series" (or you can just google this and it should take you directly to it). In Papilio, New Series, #14 these terms are discussed ("rait" - "flait" and "fleek"). You may find other things on the site of interest also - great for the rainy day and wintertime. Let me know what you think. Mike
