Sandia hairstreaks are New Mexico’s state butterfly. They’re no bigger than a thumbnail when their wings are together and, while I tell myself I’m pretty good at finding and photographing them, it’s also true that they’re much more tolerant of a very close camera lens than most butterflies. I found this one, perched on scarlet gaura, several weeks ago.
Later the same week I found a tiny insect with more-or-less matching colors. It was hanging out on a Colorado four o’clock blossom and looked like a small speck of gray before I focused on it with my camera.
It was about the same size as Pippi Longstocking and appeared to have striped legs, just like Pippi’s. I was surprised when I realized its orange-to-green fade was very similar to the Sandia hairstreak’s. That coloration is an outstanding camouflage for Sandia hairstreaks and I wonder if the same might be true for this little critter.