Observation date: August 08, 2022
Submitted by: Joshua C
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Spectacular butterfly! Presumably a member of the probably newly established population recently discovered and reported on BAMONA by Michael Shoop. Most of the time I was watching it it was patrolling up and down a relatively small area of the canyon and chasing away other large butterflies, mainly swallowtails and sisters. When not in flight it was perching in a large juniper along the trail; twice it opened up it's wings so I could see the gorgeous dorsal side. It would often fly out of sight for brief periods of time but would return to the same juniper, so I am confident that it was just one individual that I saw and photographed. It was an impressive and pretty sight when it would fly past close to my head as it was making its rounds down the canyon. Hopefully these are breeding around here! This was a very fresh looking individual so presumably they are.
Status: Temporary Colonist
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: August 09, 2022
Coordinator notes: Joshua, I appreciate all the detailed notes. Fresh condition does suggest local emergence and a local population, but at some point, we'll want to see multiple individuals to confirm that. keep after them :^)
