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  • Half-moon Hairstreak | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Half-moon Hairstreak butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Three Creeks Lake, Deschutes Co, August 6 Half-Moon Hairstreak Satyrium semiluna AKA Sagebrush Sooty Hairstreak Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inches wingspan Key ID features: Both sexes dull gray above and below. Below, median band of small dark spots with white halos, and submarginal band of black spots with halos. No tails. Similar species: May be confused with a female Boisduval's blue, which has some blue below (Half-moon has no blue), white fringes, and usually one to three black basal spots on HW below. Range does not overlap with closely related Sooty Hairstreak. Host plant: Lupines (Lupinus ) . Habitat: Subalpine meadows, high ridges, sage steppe, open slopes. Range: East of the Cascades except Columbia basin in Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla counties. Season: Mid-May to early September Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Columbian Skipper | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Columbian Skipper butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Kinney Cr Rd, Jackson Co, May 27 Columbian Skipper Hesperia columbia Size: Up to 1.4 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above, bright orange often with deeply toothed dark border, male with dark stigmata on FW, female with dark patch in same location. Below greenish tan with reduced disjointed white bands, inner band reduced to a couple of spots. Similar species: Other grass skippers have bolder, more extensive white bands below. Host plant: Various grass species. Habitat: Dry shrubby habitats. Range: Jackson County and southern Josephine County. Season: Early May to mid-October Abundance: Uncommon Conservation Status: Secure

  • 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!

  • American Lady | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the American Lady butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Westlake Boat Ramp, Lane Co, October 20 American Lady Vanessa virginiensis Size: Up to 2.25 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above bright orange with black FW tips that contain a vertical white bar and a few small white spots. HW above orange with submarginal row of black spots with blue centers. Below, HW gray brown with two large eye spots, and web of white lines. FW below has bright salmon orange crossed by black. Similar species: Other lady species have several small eyespots on HW below. Hostplant: Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea ), pussytoes (Antennaria ) and many other species . Habitat: Sunny meadows, roadsides, fields, and parks. Range: Throughout Oregon except far north on the east side of Cascades . Season: M id-April to early November. 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

  • West Coast Lady | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the West Coast Lady butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Wolf Mtn Rd, Lane Co, September 10 West Coast Lady Vanessa annabella Size: Up to 2 inch wingspan Key ID features: Smaller than other ladies. Above bright orange with black FW tips with a thick vertical orange bar at the leading edge and a few small white spots near the wing tip. HW above orange with submarginal row of black spots 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 in lower 2/3, upper 1/3 similar to HW. Similar species: American Lady has two large eye spots below. Painted Lady is larger, has white bar at leading edge of FW above instead of orange. Hostplant: Many species in the mallow family including streambank globe-mallow, checkermallow and others . Habitat: Flowery meadows, roadsides, and gardens. Range: Throughout Oregon except in Malheur County . Season: E arly March to mid-November. 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 .

  • Rural Skipper | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Rural Skipper butterfly. Gallery Prev Next Grave Creek Bridge, Josephine Co, June 29 Rural Skipper Ochlodes agricola Size: Up to 1 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above, small, tan-orange with graduated dark border . Male with black stigmata on FW, female with black patch in same location. HW below plain orange-tan in male, plain purplish brown in female which has vague lighter patches. Similar species: Unmarked orange-tan HW below on male distinct within its range. Host plant: Various grass species. Habitat: Forest edges and openings, riparian areas. Range: Josephine, Curry and Coos counties, small area along CA border at Jackson County/Josephine County border. Season: Late May to late July Abundance: Locally common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Two-banded Checkered Skipper | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Two-banded Checkered Skipper. Gallery Prev Next W Boundary Rd, Lane Co, April 12 Two-banded Checkered Skipper Pyrgus ruralis Size: Up to 1 inch wingspan Key ID features: Above, Above very dark brown, with gray shading basally on FW, boldly checked fringes and bright white patches . White spots on FW in two rows that can look like an "x" to some. HW has bold spot bands, and a lone small white spot near the wing base (often covered). Below bands of brown, white and olive-gray on HW. Similar species: Common Checkered Skipper is much lighter above and below, with more and longer white patches above. Host plant: Checkermallows ( Sidalcea ) and wildflowers in the rose family like cinquefoil ( Potentilla ) and strawberry ( Fragaria ). Habitat: Mountain meadows and roadsides. Range: Cascade Range, Willamette Valley, Coast Range, Ochoco Mtns, Blue Mtns, Wallowa Mtns, Siskiyou Mtns, Klamath Mtns. Season: Early March to early September Abundance: Common Conservation Status: Secure

  • Purplish Copper | ButterfliesofOregon

    Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Purplish Copper butterfly. Gallery Prev Next King Mountain Rd, Harney Co, June 13 - male Purplish Copper Tharsalea helloides AKA Lycaena helloides Size: 1 - 1.25 inches wingspan Key ID features: Male above brownish with purple iridescence when fresh. Female above light orange with black spots and wide brown borders. Male and female HW below lavender with submarginal orange zigzag line (females darker); FW below with black spots. Similar species: Lilac-bordered has distinctive two-toned HW below. Other coppers have white or grayish undersides. Host plant: Docks (Rumex ) and Knotweeds (Polygonum). Habitat: Wide variety of habitats . Range: All of Oregon. Season: Late April to mid-October Abundance: Common 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.

  • 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

© 2018-25 by Neil Henning Björklund

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