photo by Greg Hofmann

06/09/03: On these warm summer days the butterflies have been getting very active – the males are patrolling the plants most likely to contain females, and when a male and female of the same species encounter each other they will often spiral skyward together – a "nuptial flight" that preceeds (if all systems are go) mating. This Acmon Blue (Plebeius [Icaricia] acmon) is taking a breather on an aster (Asterasceae sp.). The crinkled appearance of its wings suggests it may have recently emerged from its cocoon and its wings have not fully unfurled.