Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1170188

Northern Blue
Plebejus idas

Observation date: June 29, 2018
Submitted by: stevecary
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: sunny, windy, no shot of upperside
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: August 12, 2018
Coordinator notes: Yes Steve, at the altitude you were at this looks to be consistent with what I consider Plebejus scudderi sublivens or James Scott's bookkeeping species P. atrapraetextus sublivens (the hybrid blue). The group is basically a mess due to introgression with P. melissa or what Scott calls a "stenchospecies." Part 4 of Butterflies of Colorado discusses this - I think you purchased this issue from me at the Lep Soc meeting in Park City, Utah? Mike
Checklist region(s): Ouray County, United States, Colorado