Observation date: October 01, 2022
Submitted by: Joshua C
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This skipper was nectaring on Ericameria nauseosa along the trail at the canyon bottom. Due to the lack of the usual amount of white markings that are present on the DFW of Burnsius skippers I thought there might be a chance that this was a Pyrgus. However, in the field I saw that it definitely was not noticeably small, which eliminates Mountain and Small checkered skippers. Grizzled Skipper is the only other Pyrgus present in NM and has been seen in the Santa Fe area, but the VHW looks better for Burnsius in my opinion.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: October 10, 2022
Coordinator notes: females in this group have much fewer what markings than males. and this is relatively dark even for a female. but your diagnosis is correct.
