Butterfly Idenification Question
May 8, 2013 17:17:54 #
Can anyone help me identify this butterfly? Or maybe it's a moth. The picture was taken in SE Washington State. The butterfly is about the size of a U.S. quarter. Thanks, Seamus
May 8, 2013 18:37:26 #
Identifying different species of butterflies is as difficult as identifying different species of mushrooms; without multiple views (ie. underside of wing). Best I can discern is that it might be a western pine elfin butterfly. Size is right. Color and markings seem to work. Could also be a number of various fritillary butterflies. Without my guide to butterflies of the western states I can't offer more than that.
May 8, 2013 19:22:54 #
Thanks. I appreciate it. I looked through the rest of the shots, and seeing as how I was purposely trying to take only shots when it's wings were open, I don't have one with the underside of the wings. Nonetheless, thanks.
May 8, 2013 19:45:03 #
Jim, I think I found it on - http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washington/animals/insects/butterflies/pale-crescent-butterfly.aspx - Pale Crescent Butterfly, Seamus PS- unfortunately this is not one of my photos.
May 8, 2013 21:03:00 #
SeamusMac wrote:
Can anyone help me identify this butterfly? Or maybe it's a moth. The picture was taken in SE Washington State. The butterfly is about the size of a U.S. quarter. Thanks, Seamus
Your best bet is to Google "butterfly identification chart". There are several places where you might match up the pattern and color for the location where you took the picture.
Closest I could find was Pearl Crescent at http://www.mgofmc.org/docs/butterflychart.pdf
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