Caterpillar foods: plants in the Pea family (Leguminosae)

These butterflies are commonly seen flying over alfalfa fields, and clustering in damp spots in the gravel at the edge of roads.

In the fall of 2010 there were hundreds of these butterflies along the roadsides.  Mike took a video of one cluster as a car drove by.

It’s difficult to see the tops of their wings – they rest with wings together.  But this photo has one that was flying in or out, so the “clouded” edge is visible.

This must be freshly hatched – I’ve never seen one with so many colors in its wings.  May 2010

A very late butterfly – November 5, 2006