Observation date: July 21, 2020
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: A small aggregation of these Tortoiseshell butterflies (50-60) feeding on moist gravel road (turn-off from Anthony Lakes Hwy. to Van Patten Lake trailhead). Adjacent roadside ditch with "bog candle" orchids (Platanthera dilatata) had one orchid with crab spider (Misumena vatia) feeding on CA Tortoiseshell (photo included). More individual Tortoiseshells seen along forest trail as we hiked up to the lake, and once at the top - about 25-30 were feeding on drier ground around a campfire circle in front of Van Patten Lake, where one Lorquin's Admiral was also seen flying. Temperature ranged from 77 to 80 degrees.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 02, 2020
Coordinator notes: None.
