Observation date: July 14, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Time: 12:25 p.m. Weather: Hot, breezy, and sunny. Habitat: A small area of standing water within a transitional ecotone. Notes: These skippers were common all along the low to mid elevations of the trail, but especially around this water. I noticed at least a couple of them displaying a strange behavior. They would land on a wet rock sticking up out of the water, and begin to slowly and repeatedly curl the tip of their abdomen down to touch the rock. I checked closely for eggs after they flew away, but there were none. Do you have any idea what this behavior may be? You can see it in the first and third photos here. My best guess is that they are seeing if the rock is wet enough to drink from (puddle).
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: September 07, 2018
Coordinator notes: Correct ID. I believe the behavior is a means to suck up exuded minerals from their abdomen. This has been observed in other butterflies as well. Mike
