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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters (Lycaenidae) » Blues (Polyommatinae) » Plebejus » Melissa Blue - Hodges#4375 (Plebejus melissa)
Photo#735938
Butterfly 3 - Plebejus melissa - female
Copyright © 2013 Adrian Thysse

Butterfly 3 - Plebejus melissa - Female
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Alberta, Canada
May 30, 2012
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Contributed by Adrian Thysse on 7 January, 2013 - 4:39pm
Last updated 8 January, 2013 - 3:48pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… David J. Ferguson, 8 January, 2013 - 3:48pm login or register to post comments

I think this is a female Plebejus melissa
In that area any P. idas should be subspecies scudderi, which generally has the orange above much less developed, and in females there is typically much more blue above than this. Also, based on the location I'm supposing this was found in badlands or grassland habitat? P. melissa would be the one to expect in such areas, while P. idas is generally associated with areas that are largely conifer forest.
… David J. Ferguson, 8 January, 2013 - 8:59am login or register to post comments

 
I have just had Charles Bird
I have just had Charles Bird and Chris Schmidt respond, and both ID it as Plebejus melissa. Thanks to all!
… Adrian Thysse, 8 January, 2013 - 9:25am login or register to post comments

ID
Either Plebejus melissa or Plebejus idas, an underside image would help or just someone more familiar with their appearance an distribution in Alberta.
… Mike Hofmann, 7 January, 2013 - 7:29pm login or register to post comments

Beautiful Photo!
Sorry, not familiar with the butterfly :(
… Robert Lord Zimlich, 7 January, 2013 - 5:20pm login or register to post comments

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