Observation date: February 05, 2026
Submitted by: blgreco
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: February 08, 2026
Coordinator notes: You have the first sighting reported to BAMONA for Colorado in 2026. Your ID is correct...a male Checkered White...spring form vernalis. Later on you might also see the Western White (or Western Peak White), Pontia occidentalis spring form calyce. You can tell the difference between the two in the spring in that calyce has more black on the upper forewings (as males do later in the year) and the veining on the underside is as heavy or heavier and more green (darker)...not as grayish. I believe your sighting is also the earliest date on the western slope...it has beaten mine here in Montrose of February 10 or 11! There were reports on the eastern Front Range south of the Denver area in the first week of January (!)...also the Dainty Sulphur both then and just last week. Take care and keep the observations coming. Mike
