Observation date: July 17, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The underside looks quite like Lupine to me, but the upperside is confusing me a bit, because it seems clearly a male but I'm not seeing the orange band/spots that would be on the lupine -- instead the black dots, which I'm not seeing in other Bamona pics for it or other species like the Melissa.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: August 31, 2025
Coordinator notes: A Shasta Blue...yes, can be a fooler and look somewhat like a Lupine Blue although at high altitude in Colorado the Lupine could be cotundra (Colorado Tundra Blue) but they are mostly in the central high mountains. Guess you did not see any Banded Alpines above Stillwater Resvr this year (Erebia pawloskii (=demmia)? You had a photo of that one last year and this is the off-year when they are growing larvae to mature next year. Rarely do you see an adult in the off-season. I will get back to the rest of your sightings tomorrow...I had more than usual submissions to verify today and must take a break now (Sunday afternoon - Labor Day weekend). Mike
