Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1251422

Observation date: May 03, 2020
Submitted by: sgguthart
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Windy, partly cloudy, temperature in the high 50's. This small butterfly was seen just off a gravel road near a lake. Blooming at the time were Pasque Flowers, Sagebrush Buttercups, and Spring Beauty. There are many Wax Currants, Willows and Chokecherries in the area, but they were not blooming at the time of this sighting.
Status: Resident
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: June 07, 2020
Coordinator notes: This is the beautiful but seldom-seen Moss’ Elfin, Callophrys mossii. Like the Rocky Mountain Parnassian, it uses spearleaf stonecrop as a host plant. Nice sighting!
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, Larimer County