Observation date: July 19, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Stony Pass 12,500 ft.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: December 28, 2017
Coordinator notes: Your photo is of a Melissa Arctic. The "Chryxus Arctic" does occur well above timberline. It is a larger species than melissa and the underside of the hindwing that is well in view in the picture has more distinct details. You can easily see this if you search for it on the BAMONA site or another websearch. I put quotes around the name because the very high altitude "Chryxus Arctics" are really a sibling species (Oeneis calais) however the powers that be do not want to recognize it as separate. If interested, you can read more about chryxus and calais this at http://dspace.library.colostate.edu and search Papilio (New Series) #12 or google search Papilio (New Series). Mike
