Spring Azure (C. argiolus?)

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

Hi George. The thing to remember is that books are out of date as soon as
they are printed, insofar as people are out finding new and interesting
things as the book is in the production process. Then too, it is good to
remember that there are a substantial number of butterflies for which there
are different views on what the most correct taxonomy and nomenclature is.
I do not think that anyone with any familiarity with North American
Celastrina uses the argiolus concept any more. Ladon is still widely used
for boreal populations but this is not acceptable to me since there are
phenotypic and structural differences between C. ladon and C. lucia. They
are known to fly sympatrically: Nielsen, M. C., 1999.  Michigan Butterflies
and Skippers: a field guide and reference.  Michigan State University
Extension, Michigan State University. 248 pp.  The people who have done a
lot of research on these blues have identified a number of distinct species
in what used to be recognized as a single, variable species. Other people
who have not researched these butterflies do not agree with all the new
taxonomic interpretations but that is OK. Nothing wrong with people having
different views. So the answer to your question is entirely dependen on
where in North America you are situated and which of the several species you
have been seeing. Perhaps one of our experts (David Wright, Harry Pavulaan)
on this group can find time to provide a synopsis on lepsl. If you are
interested in more detail, drop me a note off-line and I will dig up some
literature references that explore this fascinating topic in more depth.

-----Original Message-----
From: ghg3 at aol.com [mailto:ghg3 at aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 2:34 AM
To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: Spring Azure (C. argiolus?)


My Peterson guide identifies the Spring Azure to be Celastrina argiolus, but
Ron G. in his field report, identifies it to be Celastrina ladon.  I'm sure
Ron
is correct.  When was that changed? I've got a new copy of Peterson.  I'm
new
to this.

George Gifford

 
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