Observation date: June 17, 2022
Submitted by: mbroen
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This butterfly had been on the wet ground by a leaking faucet, then flew to the rock retaining wall.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: July 25, 2022
Coordinator notes: It is nearly impossible to tell the difference between P. cocyta and P. tharos from a dorsal view only, and even with an associated ventral view there is still room for debate. Unfortunately in most of WI, the ranges overlap. The orange-tipped antennae are an unreliable diagnostic finding. The "openness" of the orange patch on the HW -lack of black veins or bars traversing the patch - can also help with the ID, but once again is largely variable and unreliable. Females can be notoriously difficult to distinguish. With that said and having to make a call, the above findings favor P. cocyta in this individual. -jmgesell
