Nais Metalmark Butterfly — Image by kenne
There are several species of small butterflies with an orange-brown base color, marked with black,
white and brighter orange. The metalmarks such as this one also have some metallic-looking specks
that are visible with changing light angle.
Nais Metalmark Butterfly — Image by kenne
— Karl Kraus
Nais Metalmark Butterflies on Ceanithus Fenderli Bushes — Images by kenne
It’s all about timing, and this was the moment!
Yesterday, while hiking the Aspen Loop on Mount Lemmon, we came upon plants steaming with butterflies and quickly concluded that the bush was the caterpillar host for these butterflies. We discussed possible names.
The butterflies are the nais metalmark and the host plant is the ceanithus fenderli. “Males perch and patrol near the host plant for females. Eggs are laid singly on leaves or flowers. Caterpillars rest in shelters of leaves tied together with silk and emerge to feed on leaves and fruits. Mature caterpillars hibernate in leaf litter.”
These scenes were very impressive!
Since I’m not a butterfly expert, I hope I have done my homework well.
kenne
