Observation date: June 18, 2015
Submitted by: Tom Dudones
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Resident
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: November 03, 2024
Coordinator notes: I believe this to be a Compton Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis vaualbum. Others felt it could be a California Tortoiseshell or a Milbert's Tortoiseshell. Milbert's on the underside does not have the jagged lighter grey pattern on both wings, only Compton and California have this - visible even in this photo. California Tortoiseshell does not occur in Alaska that I'm aware of. Milbert's does occur in the more coastal areas of Alaska, Compton seems more interior in occurrence records but could easily occur throughout much more of Alaska. But I feel pretty confident this is much closer to Compton than California and definitely not Milbert's. JAMES STEEN
