Apr 2: NM's State Butterfly
Plus some other official New Mexican trivia
I’ve neglected to mention recently that Sandia hairstreaks are New Mexico’s state butterfly. I also haven’t mentioned that I’m 100% obsessed with them … but you may already have figured that out on your own.
I’ve been watching and photographing them for 20 years now.1 As I’ve gotten to know them better and better, I’ve come to realize that there are often huge differences in how individuals look, just as there are with people. Some, like the butterfly above, are pale and drab. Others, like the one below, have super-saturated colors.2
A former coworker claimed some years ago that I was “the ambassador for the Sandia hairstreak.” I can’t say he was wrong. Each year I call out to random folks passing by and say, “Hey, do you want to see our state butterfly?” I don’t think anyone’s ever said no (or alternatively, hurried by furtively). One guy fist-bumped me last month after I showed him one.
It’s hard to describe how small Sandia hairstreaks are. When their wings are closed they’re about the size of a smallish thumbnail, or perhaps a penny. The flowers are three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata), each of which is probably only 3mm in diameter at most. Which explains why I never even saw the three beetles while I was taking the shot — I doubt they were more than 5mm or so in length, if that.3
Sandia hairstreaks are often furry, iridescent, and glittery.
In other news, New Mexico’s annual state legislative session wound up a few weeks ago with numerous bills having passed. One was the adoption of the official state bread, flour tortillas.4
I also learned about some other official New Mexican … things … that I was previously unaware of. For example, I knew we had a state question (“Red or green?”) but never realized we also have a state answer (“Red and green or Christmas.”)5 We also have an official state aroma (who knew?!): the smell of roasting green chiles, which is indeed one of the most heavenly aromas ever, and so very New Mexican.
Here’s a post from a few years ago with more details about my personal Sandia hairstreak journey.
This is one of the most beautiful Sandia hairstreaks I’ve ever seen. I’m sure it would be a super model in the human world.
All sorts of different insects love three-leaf sumac.
Why oh why can’t our state bread be sopapillas (which are basically deep-fat-fried puffy flour tortillas)? Other states have flour tortillas too but, as far as I know, New Mexico is the only state lucky enough to have sopapillas.
Both the question and answer refer to the color(s) of chile you want with your meal.
Credentials: I'm a bit of an amateur expert on gardening for butterflies and other pollinators and have learned a good deal about butterfly life cycles over the years. So in answer to the question about faded colors, some species have gender and seasonal differences, but the faded look comes from age. Recently emerged butterflies colors are bright and crisp. The longer they survive, scales get brushed off, colors fade and so on. I like to think of faded butterfly is a survivor.
Disclaimer: I don't know much about identification outside of Central Texas, my current home. But I am enchanted by learning about New Mexican species from your photos. We have many species in common, but the most of our local hairstreaks have much more muted color than the New Mexican Hairstreak. We love them here anyway.
What beautiful photos of these furry creatures! I never would have known about the fur if it hadn’t been for you Lisa. Thank you so much. I also think our state bread should be
the sopapillla!