Observation date: July 20, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Time: 1:57 p.m. Weather: Hot, windy, and partly cloudy. Habitat: Small fields and pine forest clearings in the upper foothills. Notes: When I stopped here on my way up to my campsite, these lycaenids were the first thing I noticed. They were absolutely everywhere! Practically every step I took, I would startle one up from the ground or vegetation. In particular, they swarmed these purplish colored asters to nectar and display to each other. They were noticeably larger than any blue I've ever seen, and, based on photos in the book "Butterflies of Rocky Mountain National Park," I believe they are Blue Coppers. There was a type of plant in the area that I believe is Sulphurflower Buckwheat, a host plant of the Blue Copper. I've included a picture here.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: September 10, 2018
Coordinator notes: You are correct in your ID and hostplant notes. There are some mistakes in the butterfly book you noted so beware. It was not thoroughly reviewed before it was published. This is from a reliable second party (maybe Opler - I don't remember exactly) but I don't have a copy of it to specifically review so I cannot tell you what the problems involve or with which species. Mike
