Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Oreas Comma butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Mt. Hebo, Tillamook Co, August 13, ssp. silenus Oreas Comma Polygonia oreas AKA Oreas Anglewing Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above orange with black blotches and spots, often with very jagged wing edges. FW above has yellow patches adjacent to dark marginal band. HW above has submarginal row of yellow/orange crescent-shaped chevrons within brown to black marginal band. Below dark chocolate or dark gray to black, with lighter gray striations, and prominent white flattened "v" with no hooks (usually pointed at the bottom, often looking like a gull in flight), in center of HW. Similar species: Darker below than other comma species, white "v" mark on HW below lacks barbs. Other comma species either have stronger green submarginal shading below or the "comma" mark on HW below is curved (not a pointed "v") or barbed or both. Other commas species have less jagged wing edges, often looking smooth between major points. Host plant: Currant species (Ribes ), including R. divericatum (straggly gooseberry), and R. lacustre (swamp gooseberry) . Habitat: Forest fringes, especially in older stands, riparian areas and ravines, subalpine meadows. Range: Coast Range, Willamette Valley, Western Cascades, east slope of Cascades, Wallowa Mtns, Blue Mtns . Season: Late February to mid-September Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Orange Sulphur butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Upper Mule Prairie, Lane Co, August 2 - male Orange Sulphur Colias eurytheme Size: 1.3 - 2.3 inches wingspan Key ID features: Males above, bright orange with unbroken black border. Females above either bright orange or greenish white with "window" spots breaking up black border. Below, central pearly "discal" spot on HW with small satellite spot, and two pinkish-brown rings, and submarginal row of black or brown "eurytheme spots." Similar species: Western Sulphur and Clouded Sulphur are lemony yellow, lacking orange. White females difficult to separate from Clouded Sulphur, but often HW border is stronger in female Orange Sulphur. Host plant: Many species in the pea family. Habitat: Most commonly seen in meadows, pastures, fields and other open habitats. Range: Throughout Oregon Season: Late March to early November Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

Butterflies of Oregon has exquisite photos and information about all of Oregon's native butterfly species, with information about the biology, distribution and identification of each species. A lively blog provides seasonal stories and updates from the field. Butterflies of Oregon New Book Now Available ! Welcome to Butterflies of Oregon, a resource for Oregon butterfly enthusiasts, with photos of all of Oregon's regularly occurring butterfly species and information to help you find and identify them. Butterflies of Oregon also shares stories of the author's attempt to photograph all of Oregon's butterfly species in the wilds of Oregon. Thanks for visiting! www.butterfliesoforegon.com Subscribe to Blog Thanks for submitting! Email Us

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Weidemeyer's Admiral butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Arizona Cr, Pueblo Mtns, Harney Co, July 3 Weidemeyer's Admiral Limenitis weidemeyerii Size: Up to 3.5 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above black with broad white band through FW and HW, small white patches near wingtips. Often with submarginal band of small white spots, and sometimes band of slightly larger orange spots just below white band on HW. Below bold white band through both wings, with bands of blue-gray and lavender crescents and dark red-brown patches. Similar species: Superficially similar to Lorquin's Admiral, but lacks orange wingtips of that species. Hybridizes with Lorquin's Admiral, showing mix of traits from both species--see photos of form Friday . Hostplant: Aspen (Populus tremuloides ), Willow ( Salix ) species, and shrubs in the rose family . Habitat: Along or near waterways with willow and aspen. Range: Found in Pueblo Mtns, Trout Cr Mtns, and Owyhee canyons in SE Oregon. Season: Early June to late September. Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for Great Basin Wood Nymph. Gallery Prev Next Picture Rock Pass, Lake Co, Aug 5 Great Basin Woodnymph Cercyonis sthenele Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above, brown or gray-brown with two eye spots on FW, lower eye slightly smaller, otherwise plain. Below, silvery striated brown with one to several small eyespots on HW, two large eyespots on FW (lower one smaller as above), but nearly equidistant from FW margin. Dark median line below lobed, but smoother than in Small Wood Nymph. Similar species: Small Wood Nymph is smaller, and HW median line below is more erratically jagged. Host plant: Undetermined grass species . Habitat: Sage-steppe, bunchgrass prairie, pinyon-juniper stands, ponderosa pine lands, oak-lined canyons. Range: Eastern Oregon, Siskiyou Mtns, Cascade Range from Lane County south. Season: Late June to late September Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the California Hairstreak butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Eight Dollar Mountain Rd, Josephine Co, June 4 California Hairstreak Satyrium californica Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inches wingspan Key ID features: Dark gray-brown above. Below, lighter gray-brown with median black spot band lightly edged with white. On HW below, black v-shaped or checkmark-shaped spot next to blue patch below tail. Inner edge of blue patch on hindwing often bordered by orange. HW (and often FW) below has submarginal band of black lines or checks edged outwardly with orange. Similar species: Sylvan HS is generally more lightly marked, lacks the black V-shaped spot next to the blue HW patch (checkmark or dash instead), and orange halos only on two or three submarginal black crescents on HW . Host plant: Primarily Purshia tridentata (Antelope bitterbrush) and Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush) . Habitat: Buckbrush scrub, oak woodlands, canyons. Range: East slope of Cascades, most of SE and SW Oregon, Wallowa Mtns. Season: Early May to early September Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for Common Wood Nymph. Gallery Prev Next Beaver Cr, Wasco Co, July 2 Common Woodnymph Cercyonis pegala Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan Key ID features: Highly variable. Above, shades of brown and gray-brown with two large eye spots on FW, nearly equal in size or lower eye larger, otherwise plain. Below, striated brown with one to several small eyespots on HW, two large eyespots on FW (as above). Some eastern Oregon populations can have large, bright halos around FW eyespots, and six bold eyespots on HW below (see photo). Similar species: Great Basin Woodnymph is smaller, shorter winged and has more prominent bands below. Small Woodnymph is smaller, darker, and usually more gray and grizzled looking below. Host plant: Undetermined grass species . Habitat: Prairies, meadows, marshes, pastures, roadsides. Range: All of Oregon except northern coast and flat basin lands between Riley and Brothers (SE of Bend). Season: Mid-may to late September Abundance: Very common Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Brown Elfin butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Grassy Glade, Lane Co, June 25 Brown Elfin Callophrys augustinus Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inches wingspan Key ID features: Above both sexes brown or orangish brown (females), unmarked. Below HW violet to pink scaling over brown, usually two-toned with basal half somewhat darker, rarely with irregular median line, and sometimes light submarginal spot band. Similar species: Thicket HS has prominent "W" in white median line, is blue above, and submarginal spots on HW run entire length of trailing margin. Host plant: Wide range of plants including salal, madrone, manzanita, huckleberry, and many others . Habitat: Pine-oak woodlands, manzanita and salal thickets, sage-steppe, roadside seeps. Range: Most of Oregon except dry bottomlands east of the Cascade Range. Season: Mid-February to Late July Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Sheridan's Hairstreak butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Wolf Mtn, Lane Co, June 22 Sheridan's Hairstreak Callophrys sheridanii AKA Sheridan's Green Hairstreak Size: 0.8 - 1.0 inches wingspan Key ID features: Above both sexes light gray or brown. Below dark green when fresh, with black scaling, lighter green with gray when worn. Below, HW post median white band variable, sometimes bold. Below, FW mostly green. Often perches directly on the ground. Similar species: Bramble and Western Green primarily perch on shrubs or host plant. Bramble HS is usually found in more moist habitats, whereas Sheridan's is usually found in hotter, drier, well-drained sites. Host plant: Many buckwheat species (Eriogonum ), including Eriogonum umbellatum. Habitat: Washes, canyons, draws, high rocky-chutes, alpine swales. Range: Southern Cascades, Siskiyou Mtns, Warner Mtns, Steens Mtn, Ochoco Mtns, Blue Mtns, north central Oregon. Season: Early March to early August Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Snowberry Checkerspot butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Rd 23 Meadows, Lane Co, July 8 Snowberry Checkerspot Euphydryas colon Size: Up to 2.25 inch wingspan Key ID features: Quite variable. Above black with red and ivory spots, marginal band of red spots, sometimes absent on HW. On HW above submarginal row of small ivory spots. On HW below bands of ivory and red spots edged in black, crossed by black veins. Pattern of bands (starting at margin) is 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 larger and paler ivory spots in submarginal row on HW above. Host plant: Snowberry species (Symphoricarpos ), including S. albus , and members of the figwort family, including penstemons, paintbrushes, and honeysuckle . Habitat: Mountain meadows, riparian areas, open woodlands, roadsides. Range: Cascade Range, Siskiyou Mtns, Warner Mtns, Ochoco Mtns, Blue Mtns . Season: Late April to late August Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Cedar Haristreak butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Upper Klamath River, Klamath Co, May 29 Cedar/Juniper Hairstreak Callophrys gryneus Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inches wingspan Key ID features: Found near cedar or juniper trees . Above, gray-brown or reddish brown, sometimes with redder patches near tails. Below, shades of brown, gray, and violet, with white postmedian line that varies from bold to nearly absent. Blue submarginal ("thecla") patches near tails vary in size and brightness, but usually lacking orange. Similar species: Johnson's Hairstreak is darker shade of brown, postmedian white line is bolder with a more pronounced "M" on the HW, and generally only found in and near old growth forest. Host plant: Western redcedar (Thuja plicata ), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens ) and western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis ). Habitat: Roadsides, meadows, riparian zones, forest edges and clearings near the host plant. Range: Most of Oregon, but missing from most of Coast Range, Blue Mtns, Wallowas and Malheur County. Season: Late March to early August Abundance: Abundant Conservation Status: Secure

Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the California Tortoiseshell butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Buford Park, Lane Co, June 2 California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica Size: Up to 2.5 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above bright orange with black and white patches on the leading edge of FW, a few smaller black spots on FW, and dark border on FW and HW. Below striated two-toned with darker inner half and brown outer half with darker margin, and often a dark gray-blue submarginal line. Similar species: Above, Milbert's dark basally with bright orange rim. Below, Milbert's Tortoiseshell more distinctly two-toned, outer band lighter, more variable and more gray than brown. Host plant: Ceanothus species include snowbrush (C. velutinus ), deerbrush (C. integerrimus ) . Habitat: While dispersing, may be found in any habitat, including in the middle of urban areas. Otherwise in mountain slopes, canyons, meadows, riversides, road edges and shorelines. Range: Throughout Oregon . Season: Late January to early December. Abundance: Common, abundant in some years. Conservation Status: Secure