Sierra Trip
Fred Heath
Fred.Heath at power-one.com
Sat Aug 22 18:16:14 EDT 1998
Last weekend LANABA (the L.A. Chapter of NABA) had a field trip to
the Sonora Pass area which is just north of Yosemite N.P. in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The flowers and butterfly
sighting seemed for the most part to be about 3 weeks later than more
normal seasons and there were still patches of snow at the higher
elevations. The following 47 species were found over the two day
weekend:
W. Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus), Checkered White (Pontia
protodice), Cabbage White (P. rapae), Orange Sulphur (Colias
eurytheme).
Seven coppers including: Tailed (Lycaena arota), Great (L.
xanthodies), Edith's (L. editha), Gorgon (L. gorgon), Ruddy (L.
rubidus), Blue (L.heteronea), Lilac-bordered (L. nivalis).
Three hairstreaks: Behr's (Satryrium behrii), California
(S.californica), Hedgerow (S. saepium)- One Hedgerow was seen briefly
mated (or at least coupled) with a Blue Copper.
Seven blues: W. Pygmy (Brephidium exile), Silvery (Glaucopsyche
lygdamas), Northern (Lycaeides idas), Melissa (L. melissa), Greenish
(Plebejus saepiolus), Boisduval's (P. icariodes), Arctic (Agriades
glandon). Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo).
Six fritillaries: Great Spangled (Speyeria cybele), Nokomis (S.
nokomis), Zerene (S. zerene), Great Basin (S. egleis)- including a
mated pair: male with silvered spots, female without, Hydaspe (S.
hydaspe), Pacific (Bolaria epithore).
Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla), three crescents: California
(Phyciodes orseis), Mylitta (P. mylitta), Field (P. campestris).
California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica), Milbert's
Tortoiseshell (N. milberti), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), West Coast
Lady (V. annabella), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Lorquin's
Admiral (Limenitis lorquini), Small Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis cetus),
Monarch (Danaus plexippus).
Seven skippers: Mexican Cloudywing (Thorybes mexicana), Persius
Duskywing (Erynnis persius), Common Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus
communis), Two-banded Checkered-Skipper (P. ruralis), Common Branded
(Hesperia comma), Woodland (Ochlodes sylvanoides), Sonoran (Polites
sonora).
In addition, Sheep Moth and Riding's Forester were also noted.
Sooty Hairstreak (Satyrium fulginosum), Lustrous Copper (Lycaena
cupreus), and Common Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis) were found
group members just before and/or just after the weekend.
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