Observation date: April 13, 2021
Submitted by: James Lofton
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Cold start morning of 34F and 21%humidity. Time of sighting it was near high of day @ 68F/8%/NE@10-15. Mostly sunny with broken high thin clouds. First seen in protective corner of back yard on damp grass. Later it “found “ the Lilac bush blooms and spent the rest of the time I observed (30~mins), except for brief flights to ground or a wood pile.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: April 16, 2021
Coordinator notes: James, This is Sleepy. to my eye the key marks on the FW upperside, which on icelus is heavily washed with silver scales (yours is not). In addition, icelus' host plant - aspen - has not been seen in Portales for a few millenia. In contrast, brizo will use any oaks, and you have plenty of those in your caprock country. undersides are tough to get, but you made a good effort!
