Observation date: May 15, 2020
Submitted by: cjgoin
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I saw what I believe was a Red-spotted Purple at Mesilla Dam, NM this morning. It was a black butterfly with blue iridescence and red-orange spots near the margin and hindwing base below.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 24, 2020
Coordinator notes: Your ID is correct. Mesilla Dam is pretty low elevation for this butterfly, which usually is along streams up in the mountains, 5000 to 7000 ft. keep an eye open for Viceroy, a very closely related species that is more typical at Las Cruces elevation. they can interbreed, on occasion.
