Category: Butterflies of Oregon
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Leona’s Little Blue Euphilotes leona
Leona’s Little Blue butterfly is endemic to Oregon, only found in a small area, roughly six square miles, of pumice fields east of Crater Lake. It is so tiny, with a wingspan of <.75 inches. It is easy to identify, there is nothing else that looks like it. Leona Land, Klamath County, Oregon 42.87053, -121.84761…
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Thicket Hairstreak Callophrys spinetorum spinetorum
The Thicket Hairstreak is a true forest butterfly, spending most of it’s time up in the trees. I have a hard time finding butterflies that do that. These are most likely male, as they were puddling. W Boundary Road, Klamath County, Oregon 42.87051, -121.84763 At a mud puddle where Sand Creek crosses the road July…
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Summit Blue Euphilotes glaucon
While I was at the site photographing this, I thought it was either a Cascade or Columbia Blue. But when I got home and looked at it, I was pretty sure it was not either of those. But after carefully looking at all the maps and checking the counties in Oregon Butterfly Records, it could…
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Behr’s Hairstreak Satyrium behrii
Apparently the Behr’s Hairstreak are quite abundant, but I had never seen one before. Look for them on bitterbrush in hot dusty terrain, along roads and edges of the forest. I found these at the puddle located along the highline path, and it was quite hot and dusty. They also occur in Washington, but in…
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Clodius Parnassian Parnassius clodius
I believe this is a male Clodius Parnassian. Females have a shiny black torso, and males have a fuzzy creamy torso. This individual would not be still! He was so hard to photograph. He skipped from flower to flower and led me on a merry chase. I was glad I got a few shots, but…
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Edith’s Checkerspot Euphydryas editha lawrencei
Edith’s Checkerspots are one of the butterflies I encounter often in the Pacific Northwest. They seem to be abundant, with the exception of the ssp. taylori, which is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Sparks Lake, Deschutes County, Oregon 44.02548, -121.728 Meadow at the north end of Sparks Lake, along Sandy Creek. The Edith’s…
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Western White Pontia occidentalis occidentalis
It can be very difficult to tell Western Whites from Checkered Whites. But I’m reasonably confident this is a male occidentalis. Mostly judging by the charcoal Vs on the forewings and from distribution maps. Sparks Lake, Deschutes County, Oregon 44.02529, -121.72862 We found a nice meadow area between Soda Creek and Soda Creek Campground at…
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Anise Swallowtail Papilio zelicaon
Anise Swallowtails are abundant, common and found pretty much throughout all of Washington and Oregon. They can be found in almost any type of habitat, nectar on a wide range of blooms, have numerous host plants. If only they would land more often to be photographed, they might be a photographer’s dream butterfly. They certainly…
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Lilac-bordered Copper Tharsalea nivalis
The Lilac-bordered Copper is a common Mountain butterfly, often found in flowery meadows or above tree line. None the less, I saw my first ones this year, in both Washington and Oregon. It’s quickly becoming a favorite. Lost Prairie, Linn County, Oregon 44.40371, -122.07576 The prairie is located along Highway 20 in a mountainous section…