These showy butterflies can be found from British Columbia south to Baja California and inland to Montana and Nevada. Like many butterfly species, there’s an incredible visual difference between the bottom (ventral) side of the wings and the top (dorsal) side of the wings. Look for Lorquin’s in river bottomlands, lakeshores, and forest edges, where the larvae feed on willows, poplars, and chokecherry.
This individual was recorded during the Five Valleys Butterfly Count in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. The following group was also observed in the Rattlesnake—sounds like this might be a promising spot to run into one, two or a few!
Size: Wingspan 57 – 70 mm
Photos by: Aidan Duffield on 7/13/22 near Missoula, MT
