Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1390991

Melissa Arctic
Oeneis melissa

Observation date: July 28, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: 47 when we got out of the car, when we left it was still cloudy and 48 the temp went up ten points when we went down the hill. If you almost stepped on these they would fly but not far unless they got up into the wind that was blowing at least 20 mph. Really had to keep an eye on where they landed as they blend in so well. Strange thing is they would lay down flat on there side on the rocks. Maybe to cheat the wind or to try to disappear? We were told we could possibly see three species of Arctic up here with the cold temps I think we were lucky to get what we did.
Status: Resident
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: August 15, 2024
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Wyoming, Park County