Free shipping discount on NWB

Pop over to my sales website at NorthwestButterflies.com to take advantage of a temporary offer: to celebrate Spring, enter discount code SPRING23 during checkout to receive a free shipping discount on your order! From March 18 through April 30 only.

Also remember that if you purchase the Butterflies of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (either the normal cover or gray cover), you will receive an automatic discount of 20% off a Pocket Guide when you add both to your cart. There are only 2 "normal cover" and 13 "gray cover" BSWA books left, so get one before they're gone! I had so much trouble publishing the BSWA the first time around, and printing costs have skyrocketed since then, so I probably will never be able to republish in print. I'm still investigating the digital book process but it will be some time before I update everything if I go that route.

The species names used in these books are a little out of date, so be sure to also grab a copy of the Summary of Washington Butterflies checklist available for free download here, last updated 3/6.

Thanks for your support!

Introducing a new butterfly species: Asher's Blue

For the last few decades, lepidopterists in the west have been uncertain how to classify a variably-marked group of Celastrina (azure butterflies) in the Columbia River watershed. Until now, only two species were known in this area: Celastrina echo and Celastrina lucia. Individuals from east of the Cascades were often lumped with echo but some from Yakima and Kittitas counties were thought to be lucia. However, neither arrangement quite fit and some started questioning if there might actually be a third species involved. In the past 2-3 years, with the help of many regional butterfly enthusiasts, some breakthroughs occurred which I started investigating with two of our regional Celastrina experts. I am excited to present our findings!

Read the journal article here: https://zenodo.org/record/6502157

Celastrina asheri, Asher's Blue, a new butterfly species in western North America.

Range map of Celastrina asheri compared with C. echo and C. lucia.

BioQuip closing...what to do now

Update 3/18/23: a new business has started up and is slowly building their inventory. Keep an eye on EcologySupplies.com!

BioQuip announced last week that they are closing the business on March 11, due to a "perfect storm" of several reasons. They have been the primary supplier of insect collecting and rearing supplies to universities, museums and private researchers in the USA since 1947. I've been a happy customer for going on 20 years. Ever since I heard the announcement, I have been researching numerous websites for alternative sources of the supplies I've relied on from BioQuip over the years. A permanent page link can be found on the left side of my blog: Insect Collecting & Rearing Supplies

Some items are easy to find elsewhere but less convenient because of having to purchase from multiple sources. Other items are either difficult to find or you have to figure out an alternative name to search for, as some items marketed for butterfly collecting have other names in the craft stores or chemical supply companies.

If any of you are able to purchase from these places and feel like sharing your experience please send me an email (contact at left). I will try to keep the page updated with the best places to purchase supplies and any tips that I can come up with.

Epic Okanogan Trip

I recently spent several days in Okanogan County, Washington. It was a glorious and highly productive trip with 72-73 species over the entire vacation, including two new to me (Polites themistocles and P. peckius) and two I hadn’t seen in around ten years (Boloria selene and B. bellona). This was only the second time in my life I’ve visited Moses Meadows, which I did twice on this trip. I also spent a lot more time exploring the higher elevation areas west of the Sinlahekin, which yielded a few more data points for Boloria freija, including the surprise of finding a female at Salmon Meadows! Freija has never been recorded there, a heavily surveyed location in WA.

A few things to note about the following list:

• I grouped some locations into general areas with elevation ranges to help shorten this long list. Detailed data with coordinates were sent to Jon Pelham for the WA database.
• Quantities with male or female indicate individuals verified by catch/released or collected, or occasionally those seen closely or obviously dimorphic (like blues).
• Numbers with “unk” indicate those seen clearly but not caught.
• Species with no number are those where at least one was seen but I forgot to write down a total count or otherwise can’t remember how many there were in that spot.
• Numbers greater than 10-20 are mostly estimates.
• Taxonomy is per the Pelham Catalogue (plus segregates for finer resolution of some).
• Regarding the question marks on Celastrina “lucia” and “echo” larvae found at the Sinlahekin, these and other potential C. lucia are currently being studied by me and others in WA. I won’t go into all the details here, but due to a few factors we are questioning if C. lucia may actually occur at the Sinlahekin and a few other sites in WA. I am rearing several larvae to help investigate this and will post more about it at a later time.

June 12, 2021

Kittitas County, WA: Ringer South Trail, Ringer Loop Rd, elev 1430'
Euphilotes columbiae (Columbia Blue) 2♂
Phyciodes mylitta mylitta (Mylitta Crescent) 1♂


June 13, 2021

Grant County, WA: Gas station in Grand Coulee at Hwy 155 and 174, elev 1490'
Sphinx drupiferarum (Wild Cherry Sphinx) 1♂


Sphinx drupiferarum (Wild Cherry Sphinx), waiting for me at a gas station in Grand Coulee, WA


It was fairly cloudy with only intermittent sun this day, so total butterflies were low.

Okanogan County, WA: Lyman Lake-Moses Mountain Road, elev 3860'-4040'

Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing) 11♂
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 6♂
Colias interior (Pink-edged Sulphur) 1♂
Callophrys eryphon Columbia Basin seg. (Western Pine Elfin) 3 unk
Icaricia saepiolus rufescens (Greenish Blue) 10♂
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 4♂
Chlosyne palla blackmorei (Northern Checkerspot) 1♂
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 3♂
Coenonympha california columbiana (Ochre Ringlet) 1♂
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 1♂ 1♀

Okanogan County, WA: Moses Meadows, edges along loop road, elev. 3470'-3600'
Colias eriphyle (Eriphyle's Sulphur) 1♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 1♂
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♂
Coenonympha california columbiana (Ochre Ringlet) 1♂


Southwest corner of Moses Meadows, Okanogan County, WA

Okanogan County, WA: Salmon Meadows, vicinity of S end, elev 4460'-4480'
Anthocharis julia sulfuris (Julia Orangetip) 1♀
Euchloe ausonides transmontana (Large Marble) 3♂
Callophrys sheridanii newcomeri (Sheridan's Green Hairstreak) 1♀ 1 unk
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 1♂ 1♀ 20 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 15♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 2 unk
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 1♀ 1 unk


Salmon Meadows (looking north), Okanogan County, WA


Salmon Meadows (looking west), Okanogan County, WA


Callophrys sheridanii newcomeri (Sheridan's Green Hairstreak) at Salmon Meadows


June 14, 2021
Too cloudy and cool (big thunderstorms the night before) for butterflies except the occasional swallowtail, so spent the day checking out conditions around the Sinlahekin and taking some landscape photos.


Dogbane going crazy in a thinned and prescribed burned area on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area


Conners Lake, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area


View north from Jay Hill Camp, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area


Sinlahekin Creek, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area


June 15, 2021
Still chasing the sun this day, but conditions improving, and the mud left from all the thunderstorms was attracting more butterflies!

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, NE Fish Lake, elev 1800'
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail) 1♂

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of NW Fish Lake, elev 1790'-1820'
Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing)
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 2♂
Amblyscirtes vialis (Common Roadside Skipper) 1♂
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail)
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 1♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue)
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral)
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 1♂


Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper), my very first one!

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, meadows N of Conners Lake, elev 1490'-1500'
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 5♂ 1♀ 15 unk
Boloria selene Pacific NW seg. (Silver-bordered Fritillary) 2♂
Phyciodes cocyta pascoensis (Northern Crescent) 2♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 5 unk


Seasonally moist meadows north of Conners Lake, where Polites themistocles and Boloria selene are found.

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, upper canyon, elev 2300'-2770'
Amblyscirtes vialis (Common Roadside Skipper) 1♂
Anthocharis julia sulfuris (Julia Orangetip) 2♂
Euchloe ausonides transmontana (Large Marble) 3♂
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 10♂
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 2♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 15♂
Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary) 1♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 2 unk
Aglais milberti subpallida (Milbert's Tortoiseshell) 1 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, between Forde and Blue lakes, elev 1620'
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail) 1 unk
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 2 unk
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail) 5 unk
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 2♂
Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary) 1♂
Drasteria ochracea (moth) 1♀

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of Hunter's Camp, elev 1750'-1800'
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 1♂

Okanogan County, WA: Salmon Meadows, vicinity of N end, elev 4480'
Anthocharis julia sulfuris (Julia Orangetip) 1♂ 1♀
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 3♀ 40 unk
Schinia honesta (Black-spotted Gem moth) 1 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Salmon Meadows, vicinity of S end, elev 4460'-4480'
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 10♂ 30 unk


Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot, males) at Salmon Meadows


Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot, female) at Salmon Meadows


June 16, 2021

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, Blue Lake Pothole 2, elev 1720'
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 1♂
Tharsalea helloides (Purplish Copper) 2♂ 2♀
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 3 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, upper canyon, elev 2300'-2770'
Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing) 1♂
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 1♂
Hesperia colorado idaho (Western Branded Skipper) 1♂
Amblyscirtes vialis (Common Roadside Skipper) 2♂
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail) 4+ unk
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail) 5+ unk
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 1♂
Celastrina echo [?] (Echo Azure) 1 larva on red osier dogwood (rearing, strongly patterned like typical echo)
Celastrina lucia [?] (Lucia Azure) 13 larvae on red osier dogwood (rearing, look identical to Ringer Loop lucia larvae)
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 1♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 12♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 3 unk
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 2 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1 unk
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 1 unk


Celastrina lucia? larva, approximately 2nd instar


Celastrina lucia? larva, 4th (final) instar


Celastrina lucia? larva, 4th (final) instar


Celastrina lucia? larva, showing rosy coloration prior to pupating

Okanogan County, WA: Upper Sinlahekin Creek road junction, 1 mile W of SWA, elev 3100'
Hesperia colorado idaho (Western Branded Skipper) 1♂
Papilio zelicaon (Anise Swallowtail) 1♂
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 3♂
Cupido amyntula amyntula (Western Tailed Blue) 1♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 5 unk
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 10 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 5 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Upper Sinlahekin Creek Rd at gate, elev 3800'
Pyrgus ruralis ruralis (Two-banded Checkered Skipper) 1 unk
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 1♂
Argynnis callippe semivirida (Callippe Fritillary) 1♂
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell)
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet)

Okanogan County, WA: Bald Butte Rd at large rock outcrop, elev 3830'
Parnassius smintheus magnus (Mountain Parnassian) 1♂
Cicindela longilabris (Boreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle) 1 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Bald Butte Rd at wet seepy area, elev 4410'
Pyrgus ruralis ruralis (Two-banded Checkered Skipper) 2 unk
Icaricia saepiolus rufescens (Greenish Blue) 1♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 1♂
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 2 unk

Okanogan County, WA: FR-3820 seep and hillside meadow, 2.75mi NW of Salmon Meadows, elev 5600'-5640'
Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing) 1♂
Papilio zelicaon (Anise Swallowtail) 6♂
Callophrys sheridanii newcomeri (Sheridan's Green Hairstreak) 2♂
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 10♂
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 3 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 5 unk
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 3♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet)
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 3♂
Oeneis chryxus chryxus (Chryxus Arctic) 8♂ 1♀

Okanogan County, WA: FR-3820, vicinity of area N of Lone Frank Pass, elev 6630'-6600'
Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulphur) 1♀
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 20♂ 20 unk
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 4♂ 14 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 2♂ 9 unk


Hairpin curve north of Lone Frank Pass where Boloria freija are found, Okanogan County, WA


June 17, 2021

Okanogan County, WA: Toats Coulee Rd overlook, elev 4500'
Hesperia nevada N Great Basin & Columbia Basin seg. (Nevada Skipper) 3♂ 1♀
Glaucopsyche piasus toxeuma (Arrowhead Blue) 1♀ 1 unk
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 5♀
Argynnis callippe semivirida (Callippe Fritillary) 8♂
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 1 unk
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 3 unk


Toats Coulee Road overlook where Hesperia nevada were found


Glaucopsyche piasus toxeuma (Arrowhead Blue) female

Okanogan County, WA: Toats Coulee Road at various seeps below Middle Fork, elev 4730'-5000'
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 1 unk
Anthocharis julia sulfuris (Julia Orangetip) 3♂
Euchloe ausonides transmontana (Large Marble) 1♂
Callophrys eryphon Columbia Basin seg. (Western Pine Elfin) 1 unk
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 2♂
Glaucopsyche piasus toxeuma (Arrowhead Blue) 1♂
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue)
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 1♂
Icaricia saepiolus rufescens (Greenish Blue) 10+♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 14♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 4♂
Argynnis callippe semivirida (Callippe Fritillary) 6♂
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 1 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 3♂ (1 aberrant)
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 7 unk
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 3♂
Hemaris thetis (Snowberry Clearwing moth) 1♂

Okanogan County, WA: Middle Fork Toats Coulee Creek at FR-39/Toats Coulee, elev 5000'
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 4♂
Hesperia juba (Juba Skipper) 1♂
Papilio zelicaon (Anise Swallowtail) 15♂
Colias eriphyle (Eriphyle's Sulphur) 1♂
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue)
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue)
Plebejus melissa melissa (Melissa Blue) 1♂
Argynnis coronis simaetha (Coronis Fritillary) 1♂
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 1♂ 100 unk
Oeneis chryxus chryxus (Chryxus Arctic) 1♀


Papilio zelicaon (Anise Swallowtail) puddle party at Middle Fork Toats Coulee

Okanogan County, WA: FR-39 roadside wet ditch just E of Long Swamp, elev 5520'
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 2♂ 1♀
Callophrys eryphon Columbia Basin seg. (Western Pine Elfin) 1♀
Cupido amyntula amyntula (Western Tailed Blue) 1♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary)
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♀ 2 unk
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 2 unk
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 3♂

Okanogan County, WA: Long Swamp, campground/meadow, elev 5440'
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 20♂
Colias sp. 1 unk
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 30♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 1♂ 10 unk
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 1♂
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 20 unk

Okanogan County, WA: FR-39 at Corral Butte, elev 6480'
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 1 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 2 unk
Oeneis chryxus chryxus (Chryxus Arctic) 1 unk

Okanogan County, WA: FR-39 between Thirtymile Creek and Corral Butte, elev 5870'
Pyrgus ruralis ruralis (Two-banded Checkered Skipper) 1 unk
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 1♂ 3 unk
Anthocharis julia sulfuris (Julia Orangetip) 1♂
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 5♂ 8♀
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 1♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 1♂
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 10 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 2 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 1 unk
Euphydryas editha beani (Edith's Checkerspot) 2♀ 1 unk


In spite of the desolation from the wildfire around 2001, this area is recovering well with plenty of butterflies to show for it.

Okanogan County, WA: Thirtymile Meadows at FR-39, elev 6120'
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 3 unk
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 10♂
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 3♂ 1 unk
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell) 1 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 2 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Twentymile Meadows Overlook on FR-39, elev 6460'
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 20♂
Euphydryas editha beani (Edith's Checkerspot) 11♂ 1♀ 30 unk

Okanogan County, WA: FR-39/FR-3820 intersection, elev 6320'
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 20♂
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 1♂
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 1 unk

Okanogan County, WA: FR-3820, 0.5mi S of FR-39, elev 6510'
Euphydryas editha beani (Edith's Checkerspot) 3♂

Okanogan County, WA: FR-3820, vicinity of area N of Lone Frank Pass, elev 6630'-6600'
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 20♂
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 1♂
Aglais milberti subpallida (Milbert's Tortoiseshell) 1 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 10 unk
Euphydryas editha beani (Edith's Checkerspot) 3 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♂

Okanogan County, WA: FR-3820, vicinity of area S of Lone Frank Pass, elev 6670'
Glaucopsyche lygdamus columbia (Silvery Blue) 20♂
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 1♂
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂


Looking southeast towards Conconully from a hillside a few miles northwest of Salmon Meadows

Okanogan County, WA: Salmon Meadows, vicinity of S end, elev 4460'-4480'
Boloria freija freija (Freija Fritillary) 1♀ (never recorded from Salmon Meadows before)
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 1♂
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 5 unk


June 18, 2021 (CB and DS joined me this day)

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of NW Fish Lake, elev 1790'-1820'
Thorybes pylades indistinctus (Northern Cloudywing) 1 unk
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing)
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 2♂
Hesperia juba (Juba Skipper) 1 unk
Papilio machaon oregonia (Oregon Swallowtail) 1♂
Papilio zelicaon (Anise Swallowtail) 1♂
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail)
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper)
Tharsalea helloides (Purplish Copper) 3♂
Satyrium semiluna semiluna (Halfmoon Hairstreak) 1 unk
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue)
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue)
Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary) 1♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral)
Nymphalis californica californica (California Tortoiseshell)
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak)
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet)

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of Hunter's Camp, elev 1750'-1800'
Erynnis pacuvius lilius (Pacuvius Duskywing) 1♀
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail)
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 13♂
Satyrium titus immaculosus (Coral Hairstreak) 1♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue)
Plebejus melissa melissa (Melissa Blue) 1♀
Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary) 5♂ 1♀
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral)
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♂
Phyciodes cocyta pascoensis (Northern Crescent) 1♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet)


Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary), mating pair near Hunter's Camp in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area


Satyrium titus immaculosus (Coral Hairstreak), this male appeared out of nowhere while we were standing around talking, taking a liking to CB's binoculars!

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, upper canyon, elev 2300'-2770'
Hesperia colorado idaho (Western Branded Skipper) 1♂
Pterourus multicaudata pusillus (Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail) 2+ unk
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail)
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail) 3+ unk
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 5♂
Celastrina lucia [?] (Lucia Azure) 10 larvae (photographed, some ant-tended)
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 5♂
Argynnis callippe semivirida (Callippe Fritillary) 1♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 3+ unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂
Cercyonis pegala ariane (Common Wood Nymph) 1♂
Cercyonis oetus oetus (Dark Wood Nymph) 1♂


Celastrina lucia? larva tended by an ant


Celastrina lucia? larva tended by an ant


Celastrina lucia? larva tended by an ant

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, meadows N of Conners Lake, elev 1490'-1500'
Pholisora catullus garita (Common Sootywing) 1♀
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 1♂ 5 unk
Hesperia colorado idaho (Western Branded Skipper) 1♂
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 1♂ 5 unk
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail) 1♂
Pieris rapae rapae (Cabbage White) 3♂
Callophrys spinetorum spinetorum (Thicket Hairstreak) 1♀
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 1♂
Polygonia satyrus neomarsyas (Satyr Anglewing/Comma) 1♀
Phyciodes cocyta pascoensis (Northern Crescent) 2♂
Cercyonis pegala ariane (Common Wood Nymph) 3 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, Jay Hill Camp, elev 1865'
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper)
Satyrium semiluna semiluna (Halfmoon Hairstreak) 1♀
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue)
Cercyonis pegala ariane (Common Wood Nymph)


June 19, 2021

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, northern section of Douglas Mtn Rd, elev 2390'
Tharsalea helloides (Purplish Copper) 1♂
Celastrina sp. (Echo/Lucia Azure) 1 2nd instar larva on red osier dogwood (too small to differentiate between echo/lucia yet)
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 1 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 2 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, southern section of Douglas Mtn Rd, elev 3140'-3230'
Euchloe ausonides transmontana (Large Marble) 1♂ 1♀
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 2♂
Tharsalea helloides (Purplish Copper) 1♂
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 1♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 4 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 1♂
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 2 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of Hunter's Camp, elev 1750'-1800'
Erynnis pacuvius lilius (Pacuvius Duskywing) 1♀
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 15♂ 1♀
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 1♂ 20♀
Plebejus melissa melissa (Melissa Blue) 1♂ 1♀
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 4 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♀
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet)

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of NW Fish Lake, elev 1790'-1820'
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 6♂
Amblyscirtes vialis (Common Roadside Skipper) 1 unk
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 1 unk
Pterourus eurymedon (Pale Tiger Swallowtail) 2 unk
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 5♂
Argynnis zerene picta (Zerene Fritillary) 2♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 6 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 1♀
Coenonympha california ampelos (Ochre Ringlet) 5 unk

Okanogan County, WA: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, vicinity of SE Fish Lake, elev 1800'
Tharsalea heteronea klotsi (Blue Copper) 5♂
Euphilotes heracleoides (Cascadia Blue) 3♂
Icaricia lupini lutzi (Lupine Blue) 2♂


June 20, 2021

Okanogan County, WA: Moses Meadows, edges along loop road, elev. 3470'-3600'
Erynnis icelus (Dreamy Duskywing) 1♂
Erynnis persius Cascadian seg. (Persius Duskywing) 5♂
Polites themistocles turneri (Tawny-edged Skipper) 16♂
Polites peckius peckius (Peck's Skipper) 1♀ 1 unk
Hesperia juba (Juba Skipper) 1♂
Oarisma garita garita (Garita Skipperling) 4♂ 1♀
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 5 unk
Colias christina pseudocolumbiensis (Christina Sulphur) 3♂
Colias eriphyle (Eriphyle's Sulphur) 1♂
Colias interior (Pink-edged Sulphur) 11♂
Pieris marginalis reicheli (Margined White) 1♂
Tharsalea mariposa thea (Mariposa Copper) 1♂
Tharsalea helloides (Purplish Copper) 1♂ 2♀
Icaricia saepiolus rufescens (Greenish Blue) 21♂
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 60♂
Boloria epithore chermocki (Western Meadow Fritillary) 1♂
Boloria bellona jenistai (Meadow Fritillary) 1♂ 1♀ 1 unk
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 4 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 300♂
Chlosyne palla blackmorei (Northern Checkerspot) 100♂
Phyciodes cocyta pascoensis (Northern Crescent) 1♂
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 16♂
Coenonympha california columbiana (Ochre Ringlet) 20 unk
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 1♀ 6 unk


Moses Meadows (looking south), Okanogan County, WA


Southeast side of Moses Meadows, Okanogan County, WA

Okanogan County, WA: Lyman Lake-Moses Mountain Road, elev 3860'-4040'
Amblyscirtes vialis (Common Roadside Skipper) 1♂
Oarisma garita garita (Garita Skipperling) 5♂
Colias christina pseudocolumbiensis (Christina Sulphur) 60♂
Colias interior (Pink-edged Sulphur) 3♂
Pieris marginalis reicheli (Margined White) 1♂
Callophrys spinetorum spinetorum (Thicket Hairstreak) 1♀
Callophrys augustinus iroides (Brown Elfin) 1♀
Icaricia icarioides pembina (Boisduval's Blue) 10♂
Boloria bellona jenistai (Meadow Fritillary) 2♂
Limenitis lorquini burrisonii (Lorquin's Admiral) 1 unk
Nymphalis antiopa antiopa (Mourning Cloak) 1 unk
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus (Hoary Anglewing/Comma) 1 unk
Euphydryas anicia Okanogan Highlands seg. (Anicia Checkerspot) 14♂
Chlosyne palla blackmorei (Northern Checkerspot) 30♂
Phyciodes pulchella owimba (Field Crescent) 10♂
Coenonympha california columbiana (Ochre Ringlet) 5♂ 10 unk
Erebia epipsodea epipsodea (Butler's Alpine) 1♂ 2 unk


Lyman Lake-Moses Mountain Road north of Moses Meadows, Okanogan County, WA


June 21, 2021

Grant County, WA: Sun Lakes/Dry Falls State Park, elev 1200'
Pieris rapae rapae (Cabbage White) 12 unk
Vanessa atalanta rubria (Red Admiral) 1 5th instar larva on nettles

Kittitas County, WA: Ringer South Trail, Ringer Loop Rd, elev 1430'
Pterourus rutulus (Western Tiger Swallowtail) 1 unk
Celastrina lucia Central WA seg. (Lucia Azure) 4♂ (second brood)
Phyciodes mylitta mylitta (Mylitta Crescent) 1♂

Lewis County, WA: Hwy 12, 4.6mi east of Randle, elev 920'
Parnassius clodius claudianus (Clodius Parnassian) 3 unk

Whew! That's a lot of typing and formatting!

Hopefully more to come on the Lucia/Echo research soon (sooner than my latest 8 month gap in blog posts!)

Updates to Northwest Butterflies

Normally this time of year I'd be heading to the NW Leps Workshop in Corvallis for a weekend gathering of regional lepidopterists, probably my favorite butterfly-related event all year and one of the only times people can buy my books without the extra cost of shipping. However, due to the combination of a building remodeling project and COVID restrictions, the meeting has been changed to a virtual chat. Meanwhile, after nearly three years in business I've been making some updates to my storefront (list below).

So to celebrate three years in business and honor my NW Leps customers, I am offering 20% off all orders placed on October 24 through November 21. Go to northwestbutterflies.com and use the code NWLEPS2020 during checkout to claim the discount!

Some of the changes:

Digital downloads -- I have plans to expand this but for now there are two items available for free:

• Comprehensive checklist of the butterflies of Washington. This is a PDF that myself and the rest of the authors freely distribute. It is offered here so anyone can check for new updates and download immediately without waiting for emails.
• List of errata for Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest along with taxonomic (Genus/species name) updates.

Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest by myself and Robert Michael Pyle - I have 20 copies available that I will sign. If they sell out I can order more.

I've added a page with shipping cost information in an effort to provide up-front costs so you aren't surprised when you get to the checkout. Instead of auto-calculating shipping during checkout, I now have set shipping costs based on my averages over the past three years. I also balanced it with slightly reduced book prices. This means people in the Pacific Northwest will save between $0.50-2.00 compared to former order totals, and people in eastern states may save as much as $7 compared to former totals.

New photo products -- I have a limited number of vinyl stickers made from my photographs. Depending on how these sell, I may develop some additional options. I also added a new magnet option: a kiss cut Ceanothus Silk Moth adult. Let me know if you have any requests or suggestions!

Ceanothus Silk Moth
mock-up of kiss cut design for stickers and magnets