Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1323169

Saltbush Sootywing
Hesperopsis alpheus

Observation date: April 28, 2022
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Small black butterflies that fly low between fourwing saltbush short shrubs; they sometimes perch or take cover low in the shrubs and one was observed possibly depositing eggs. Alkaline flats near the entrance to White Sands National Park and rarely observed among alkali sacaton tallgrass in interdunal areas of the park. One was observed nectaring from creosotebush flowers at the Visitor's Center. The mid-day was warm, under full sunshine, and with constant wind to ~30mph.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 06, 2022
Coordinator notes: thanks, Jim! I'll be borrowing one or two of these for BofNM :^)
Checklist region(s): United States, New Mexico, Otero County