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.
That's really interesting and totally makes sense. A few years ago, the Sandia hairstreaks hung around until almost the end of May and became extremely faded. The only thing that slows me down is that supposedly *all* of the Sandia hairstreaks we see in March and April are from last year's brood in any case. But I guess some were more newly emerged than others when they went underground (or whatever they do).
But butterflies generally reproduce several times over spring through fall. Their lifespans are short. So you are right that some that went into dormancy would be younger than others.
Some species also overwinter by egg or larvae going dormant and hatching/emerging in spring. I don't know specifically about the beautiful little Sandia Hairstreak.
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
Absolutely perfect closeups of the beetles and the butterfly. You are a mistressful photographer, Lisa. Thank you for all the New Mexico State choices too. I concur with every one of them. I wondered if the paler of the butterflies is a female?
Beautiful little butterflies! I love butterflies, and have always been in awe of their iridescence and how powdery they are if you touch a wing. I wonder if their colors vary based on nutrients that are or are not being consumed. Maybe someone will know the answer to this and reply. I can tell you that I ate plenty of sopapillas in Texas when I lived there. They are yummy, that is for sure. I also love biscochitos, which I haven’t had in a long time. When I worked in public health, trying to have mothers switch their children from flour to corn tortillas was a no go. By the way, children in New Mexico in grade schools have lost a little weight over the last 2 years. Maybe they now like corn tortillas?! Leah
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.
That's really interesting and totally makes sense. A few years ago, the Sandia hairstreaks hung around until almost the end of May and became extremely faded. The only thing that slows me down is that supposedly *all* of the Sandia hairstreaks we see in March and April are from last year's brood in any case. But I guess some were more newly emerged than others when they went underground (or whatever they do).
But butterflies generally reproduce several times over spring through fall. Their lifespans are short. So you are right that some that went into dormancy would be younger than others.
Some species also overwinter by egg or larvae going dormant and hatching/emerging in spring. I don't know specifically about the beautiful little Sandia Hairstreak.
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!
Absolutely perfect closeups of the beetles and the butterfly. You are a mistressful photographer, Lisa. Thank you for all the New Mexico State choices too. I concur with every one of them. I wondered if the paler of the butterflies is a female?
Beautiful little butterflies! I love butterflies, and have always been in awe of their iridescence and how powdery they are if you touch a wing. I wonder if their colors vary based on nutrients that are or are not being consumed. Maybe someone will know the answer to this and reply. I can tell you that I ate plenty of sopapillas in Texas when I lived there. They are yummy, that is for sure. I also love biscochitos, which I haven’t had in a long time. When I worked in public health, trying to have mothers switch their children from flour to corn tortillas was a no go. By the way, children in New Mexico in grade schools have lost a little weight over the last 2 years. Maybe they now like corn tortillas?! Leah
I love biscochitos too. You probably won't be surprised to know they're the official state cookie. Except that the State spells them bizcochitos.