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  • Hydaspe Fritillary | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Hydaspe Fritillary butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Catherine Cr Rd, Wallowa Co, July 8 Hydaspe Fritillary Argynnis hydaspe AKA Speyeria hydaspe Size: Up to 2.25 inch wingspan Key ID features: Male deep orange above with black veins, black shading near the body, black irregular lines inwardly, submarginal black spot band and black marking along margin like chain links. Female dark orange above with all black markings bolder. Below ground color of "disc" on HW usually deep maroon to purplish-brown, with creamy to white oval spots, and a submarginal pink or pinkish band, often vague or missing. Similar species: Hesperis has more reddish brown color below, and submarginal band is less pink, more distinct and usually crossed with bold veins. Zerene can have similar coloration, but would have smaller discal spots and more flattened marginal spots. Host plant: Violet (Viola ) species . Habitat: Openings, riparian areas and meadows in coniferous forests. Range: Found throughout Cascades and western Oregon, and in Klamath, Warner, Siskiyou, Ochoco, Wallowa and Blue Mtns. Season: Late May to late September. Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Anicia Checkerspot | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Anicia Checkerspot butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Arizona Cr, Pueblo Mtns, Harney Co, June 2 Anicia Checkerspot Euphydryas anicia Size: Up to 2.25 inch wingspan Key ID features: Highly variable. Above black with red and white spot bands, marginal band of red spots. Below bands of white and red spots edged thinly in black, crossed by black veins. sometimes more white than red, marginal band is red, fringes checked. On hindwing below (starting at margin) pattern of bands is usually red-white-red-white -white. Similar species: Edith's checkerspot has red-white-red-red -white band pattern on HW below (starting at margin). Chalcedona Checkerspot has ivory spots above instead of white, and is larger. Snowberry Checkerspot is typically blacker above, with rounder wing shape. Host plant: Members of the figwort family, including penstemons and paintbrushes . Habitat: Sage-steppe, arid high grasslands, canyons. Range: In high desert east of the Cascade Range, from Warner Mtns to Steens Mtn up to broad swath along Deschutes River. Also in highlands west of the Snake River . Season: Mid-March to mid-August Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Pine White | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Pine White butterfly. Gallery Prev Next 3 Creeks Sno-Park, Deschutes Co, August 19 - male Pine White Neophasia menapia Size: 1.5 - 2.0 inches wingspan Key ID features: Bright white with black leading margin and tip of forewing. Underside of HW has veins outlined in black. Underside of female hindwing outlined in red-orange. Notably graceful flight pattern. Similar species: Mustard (margined) white has more delicate dark markings on veins below and lacks heavy black marks above Host plant: Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and other pine species. Habitat: Fir and pine forests, and in some urban areas near pines. Range: Western Oregon and Ochoco Mtns, Blue Mtns and Wallowa Mtns. Season: Late June to mid-October Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Leona's Little Blue | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Leona's Little Blue butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Doral View Sand Cr drainage, Klamath Co, July 6 Leona's Little Blue Philotiella leona AKA: Euphilotes leona Leona Blue Size: Up to 0.75 inches wingspan Key ID features: Small. Males dusky blue above with darker wing borders. Female dark brown. Below white or off-white with bold black spots, larger on FW, boldly checked fringes on FW. Similar species: No other similar species in Oregon. Host plant: Eriogonum spergulinum (Spurry buckwheat). Habitat: Pumice lands east of Crater Lake near host plant. Range: 6 square mile area east of Crater Lake. Season: Mid-June to late July Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: USFS Sensitive Species. Was proposed to be listed as Endangered under Federal Endangered Species Act, but after a 5-year review, listing was judged to be "not warranted."

  • Pink-edged Sulphur | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Pink-edged Sulphur butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Lake Cr Trail, Deschutes Co, July 3 - male Pink-Edged Sulphur Colias interior AKA Colias pelidne Pelidne Sulphur Size: 1.5 - 2.0 inches wingspan Key ID features: Male above, solid black wing borders. Female above, smudgy FW border, can be either pale yellow or white. Below, HW yellow, with little or no black scaling, and discal spot single-rimmed with no satellite. Usually with bright pink wing fringes. Flight pattern is more relaxed than other sulphurs. Perhaps the most important clue for ID is the pattern of dark over-scaling on the ventral hindwing: often light overall and more dense toward the thorax and gradually fading out past the discal spot . Similar species: Other similar sulphur species in Oregon lack the gradual decrease in the density of overscaling on the dorsal hindwing (see above). Clouded Sulphurs have double ring around discal spot on HW below. Western Sulphurs greenish on HW below. Queen Alexandra's Sulphurs are larger, have more pointed wings, heavier black overscaling below with a strong greenish cast, and lighter pink wing borders. Host plant: Various species of Vaccinium (huckleberry). Habitat: Mid-elevation forest clearings, meadows marshes and heathlands. Range: Central OR Cascades and Blue Mountains. Season: Early June to mid-September Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

  • Resources - Books | ButterfliesofOregon

    Here you will find the most valuable field guides and printed information sources for butterflies in Oregon and Lane County. Resources: Books New All-Color 5th Edition Finding Lane County Butterflies The new 5th Edition is a significant overhaul of the original book, with 5 new important sites added, 45 new color photos, 10 new color maps, and hundreds of clarifications and improvements throughout. It now includes 30 of the best sites for butterflies in Lane County (and a few just over the line in Linn County). For each site, it describes when to go, how to get there, and which species you are likely to find there. Using this guide, you can, with some luck, find most of Lane County's more than 100 species. Order yours now from the Lane County Butterfly Club. 100% of sales proceeds benefit the Lane County Butterfly Club. Butterflies of Oregon: An Atlas Honoring John Hinchliff by Jeffrey C. Miller, Paul C. Hammond, Dana N.R. Ross and Neil H. Bjorklund This 2-volume set raises the standard for presenting the current state of our knowledge about Oregon's butterfly species and subspecies and where they are found in our state. Volume 1 (Species Distribution) 218 pages 8.5" x 11", 177 maps, 354 color photos Contains full color distribution maps for each species, and each subspecies. Volume 2 (Synthesis) 290 pages 8.5" x 11", 45 full color maps,108 color photos A virtual road tour for exploring Oregon butterflies Discussion of relationship between butterflies and Oregon's environments Exploration of site record counts, and where they do and don't occur Discussion of patterns in butterfly distribution Discussion of caterpillar foodplant relationships Two volume set $95 plus shipping. To order, send an email to: oregonbutterflyatlas2026@gmail.com Anchor Atlas Butterflies of Lane County When it was first released in 2002, this pocket-sized field ID guide to the butterflies of Lane County, Oregon was the first of its kind. Other similar "pocket guides" have appeared around the country as publishers realize that people don't want to carry around a 5-pound book in the field. This guide will be replaced by an all new field identification guide that covers all of the Willamette Valley and adjoining foothills-planned to be released in 2026. Sold through the Lane County Butterfly Club. Proceeds from sales benefit the Lane County Butterfly Club. Available from Lane County Butterfly Club . This is the definitive guide for identifying the butterflies of Oregon and Washington. It's chock-full of information about each species, with maps, history, biological information and more. It won't fit in your pocket, but you'll want a copy for reference anyway. Available from Amazon.com . Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest By Robert Michael Pyle and Caitlin LaBar. This is the latest and most comprehensive guide for identifying the butterflies of Oregon and Washington. It's chock-full of information about each species, with maps, history, biological information and more. It won't fit in your pocket, but you'll definitely want a copy anyway. Available from Amazon.com . Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest This is the definitive guide for identifying the butterflies of Oregon and Washington. It's chock-full of information about each species, with maps, history, biological information and more. It won't fit in your pocket, but you'll want a copy for reference anyway. Available from Amazon.com . Butterflies of Oregon Their Taxonomy, Distribution, and Biology By Andrew Warren. This thorough scientific work provides the most in-depth coverage of Oregon's butterfly species and set the groundwork for taxonomy studies and books that followed it. For a deeper dive into Oregon's butterflies, this is your "go to" source. Available from Amazon.com . Warren Book Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Washington, 3rd ed By Caitlin LaBar. This is a great field guide for identifying the butterflies of Washington. So small and light there's no reason not to take it into the field with you! Available from Amazon.com .

  • Julia's Orangetip | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Sara Orangetip butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Little Groundhog Mtn, Lane Co, July 8 - male Julia's Orangetip Anthocharis julia AKA Julia Orangetip Size: 1.25 - 1.5 inches wingspan Key ID features: Male white above, with bold orange FW tip. Female pale yellow-green above with smaller orange patch near FW tip. Below patchy marbling with light yellow veins. Similar species: Sara's Orangetip, which occurs only along the California border is very similar and difficult to distinguish in the field where they overlap. The two species are distinguished by several characteristics, including larval characteristics, number of overwintering cycles, and shape and color of the chrysalis. Host plant: Crucifers including several rockcresses. Habitat: Wide variety of open habitats. Range: Found throughout Oregon. Season: Mid-March to mid-August Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Painted Lady | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Patined Lady butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Marys Peak, Benton Co, August 21 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Size: Up to 3 inch wingspan Key ID features: Larger than other ladies. Above salmon orange with black FW tips with a thick s-curved white bar at the leading edge and a few small white spots. HW above orange with submarginal row of black spots, some with blue centers. Below, HW brown with submarginal row of four small eye spots, and web of white lines and white patches. FW below has bright salmon orange crossed by black, wingtip similar to HW. Similar species: American Lady has two large eye spots below. West Coast lady has orange bar at leading edge of FW above (instead of white). Host plant: Thistles (Caruus, Cirsium ), and many others where thistles don't occur . Habitat: Found in every habitat type. Range: Throughout Oregon. Season: Early March to early November Abundance: Abundant in most years. Conservation Status: Secure

  • Asher's Blue | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Asher's Blue butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Meltolius River, Deschutes County, May 25 Asher's Blue Celastrina asheri Size: 0.9 - 1.1 inches wingspan Key ID features: This a recently described species (2021). Male hazy blue above, with no black markings. Female dusky-blue, often extensively darkened above. Dorsal wing fringes may be somewhat or heavily darkened. Below, dusky-gray, with extremely variable black and gray markings. Discal hindwing spots are swollen and elongated compared to Echo Azure, and all discal hindwing spots may be expanded and or fused with each other. Similar species: Distinguished from Echo Azure by its smaller size, shorter and more rounded wings, with the ventral ground color being dusky to gray, discal spots larger than in C. echo, and often with darker gray patches of various shapes and sizes. Host plants: r ed osier dogwood and possibly oceanspray . Habitat: Shrubby habitats and riparian areas. Range: Has been documented in Baker, Clackamas, Crook, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wasco counties. Further field study is needed to better understand the distribution in Oregon. Season: Late March to late July, peaking in early May at lower elevations, and in early June at higher elevations Abundance: Can be locally common near host plant. Conservation Status: Secure

  • Gillett's Checkerspot | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Gillett's Checkerspot butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Oregon State Arthropod Collection, #000176215 - male Thank you to Dana Ross and Paul Hammond , volunteers at OSAC! Gillett's Checkerspot Euphydryas gillettii Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above black with red and white spots, wide red band through both wings, usually with narrow white bands on both sides. Below similar pattern, but with black reduced, and confined to narrow lines between red and white patches. Similar species: This is the only Oregon checkerspot with wide red submarginal spot bands above. Host plant: Species in the honeysuckle family, possibly black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata ) and red twinberry (L. utahensis ) . Habitat: High flowery meadows. Often occurs near small streams or wetlands, not straying far from its host plants and nectar sources. Range: On the summit of the west rim of Snake River Canyon near Hat Point . Season: Late June to early July Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure in other states. Survival of colonies may depend on wildfire interrupting habitat succession. Current Oregon population unknown.

  • Resources - Online | ButterfliesofOregon

    Here you will find the additional online resources for butterflies in Oregon and Lane County. Resources - Online Northwest Butterflies Caitlin Labar's lovely and informative website on the butterflies of Oregon and Washington. Visit and you will learn a lot! Butterflies of America A comprehensive guide to the butterflies of North, Central and South America. Photos of pinned specimens and some live butterfly species, covering all described species and recognized taxa including subspecies. Very helpful for our Greater Fritillaries here in Oregon (Speyeria sp.). Lane County Butterfly Club (Chapter of NABA) The new website for the only Oregon chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. Find out about their series of presentations in winter, their summer field trips, butterfly counts and other activities. Washington Butterfly Association Facebook page for the large and lively state of Washington Butterfly Association. Keep up to date on their presentations in winter and their field trips in summer, and other activities. Oregon Zoo: Taylor's Checkerspot A webpage describing how the Oregon Zoo is contributing to the conservation of this endangered Northwest butterfly. Conserving Oregon Monarchs Learn about the State of Oregon's plan for conserving Monarchs in Oregon. Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service's page on the endangered Oregon Silverspot. Fender's Blue Visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service's page on the endangered Fender's Blue. Conservation of Prairie-Oak Butterflies in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Online article about conservation status and measures for Fender's blue (Icaricia icarioides fenderi ), Taylor's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori ), Mardon skipper (Polites mardon ), island marble (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) , and Oregon silverspot (Speyeria zerene hippolyta ), and a brief review of 10 additional at-risk butterfly species in the ecoregion. Xerces Society Get plugged in to the first and foremost conservation organization for butterflies and other invertebrates. They do great work in education, advocacy, and conservation planning. Please support them!

© 2018-25 by Neil Henning Björklund

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