Observation date: May 23, 2020
Submitted by: dbrudin
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: In mountain canyon, steep rock walls, along streamside standing on muddy, rocky ground. In one picture it looks like its touching some animal scat with an antenna. Very small butterfly.
Status: Resident
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: June 03, 2020
Coordinator notes: This is actually a Hoary Elfin, Callophrys polios. The Brown Elfin has a noticeable reddish tinge to its underside, and it lacks the frosting which is clearly evident on the Hoary Elfin. Both use the same host plant, however (bearberry). This one was probably “smelling” the scat to see if it wanted to take in nutrients from it. Anyway, thanks for submitting your sighting!
