Observation date: May 02, 2021
Submitted by: topper72
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Clear, windy, temp in mid 60s F. One observed flying low in the grass moving from spot to spot in the strong wind. Elevation ~ 9,200 ft.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 08, 2021
Coordinator notes: Marc, BAMONA remains a little confused in what they offer to submitters. Apama is a ssp. of affinis and they should not offer Callophrys apama as a "species." I have approved some submittals as "apama" if they are from far western NM, like the Gila, because that is the ssp. for that area. But I really shouldn't even do that. Western Green Hairstreak is fairly variable through its range, even in NM alone we have 3 varieties. North-central NM including the Jemez are considered to have ssp. Callophrys affinis homoperplexa, whose VHW white band is of intermediate strength and continuity, that is quite variable. Ssp. apama has a strong, continuous band; ssp. albipalpus (Sacramentos) has a band that is weak to absent.
