Observation date: July 19, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Saw a couple sulphur fly by as hot as it got they did not stop for long at all. We hunted until it got to hot for us then we went back out for a bit to try again on the rocky Mt. Parnassian Would not be good to let that lifer go. Funny that we saw it in Montana and WYoming too. Did not expect that but I guess the rockies go from new mexico to canada? And Beyond.
Status: Resident
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: August 13, 2024
Coordinator notes: Since I was a kid, Parnassius have always fascinated me. Sadly have never gotten to watch them in the wild. Yeah, we always thought the Rocky Mountains were a solid curved line from northern NM TO MT. Yet pieces of the range seem to extend from far western TX north with MANY fissures of itself coming in from AZ and UT. This is Colias e. euryteme, a female. These can be found at even higher elevations than people realize. I found them in high Sierra Nevada in CA yrs ago, 9200ft. We have both this species and nominate Colias p. philodice by the thousands here in Kansas. You could expect Colias philodice eriphyle there in Utah, looks slightly like C. euryteme in wing structure & markings but with pure yellow or a hint of warm yellow on upper side wings. Working on your other submissions. Thanks, JAMES STEEN
