Observation date: July 07, 2024
Submitted by: Brian Taber
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I submitted as this species, understanding its rarity, in order to try to get some good comments from experts. One recent comment from an expert suggested tattered Wild Indigo female, but appears to have costal fold, so male. Seems to lack dark inner forewing for male Wild Indigo and appears too mottled-looking, both on forewings and hindwings, for male Horace's or Zarucco. Lacks white forewing "wrist" spot though that I know that feature is variable.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: July 12, 2025
Coordinator notes: You're correct, this individual is definitely a male. The "mottled" appearance is actually pretty typical for a Horace's, becoming more prominent sometimes when worn (such as in this individual). On rare occasions, they will only have a very subtle FW discal cell spot (usually very prominent), but usually has a dark patch in its place (like in this individual). Mottled Duskywings have been reported in the area historically, but I'm not aware of any recent sightings in the region (there have been some in the south-central part of the state near the NC border). -jmgesell
