Observation date: August 11, 2021
Submitted by: Joshua C
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This might just be a Common Wood Nymph color variant, but I have only seen the all brown ones at this location. This was feeding on an apache plume most of the time I was watching it. It would open and close its wings often while feeding and perched. This was in the narrow, rocky canyon habitat of the higher elevation part of the trail.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: August 13, 2021
Coordinator notes: Joshua, this is a very unusual find for the Sandias, only the second ever for Bernalillo County. ironically, the first was seen (July 3, 1968) at 6200 ft near Embudito Cyn. It was a female in copula with a Common Wood-nymph, perhaps because it could not find a mate of the same species. or perhaps you are right to wonder if it may be an odd variant of Cercyonis pegala. Can you go again and look for more?
