Chestnut Crescent at NBC, 2/10/13

The thermometer hit 96 in McAllen today so I bet we were at least that hot at the National Butterfly Center south of Mission.  But that didn't keep that darn Mike Rickard from making another great find.  He managed to pick out a female Chestnut Crescent Phyciodes argentea from the many butterflies taking advantage of the springtime bloom.  Only half of a topside shot makes the ID pretty clear.

Here's the common Texas Crescent Phyciodes texana for comparisson.

Common Streaky Skipper Celotes nessus is not supposed to be rare in the RGV but the prolonged drought has had an affect on many species.  This is my first.  What a cool little bug.

I guess this is just a Long-tailed Skipper Urbanus proteus but the forewing spots sure don't seem to match the book.  I would appreciate any comments.

No problem with the ID on this White-striped Longtail Chioides catillus.

Recently Common Mellanas Quasimellana eulogius seem to have appeared out of nowhere.

The winter form of Clytie Ministreak Ministrymon clytie can get your imagination going.

Love is in the air for these Bordered Patches Chlosyne lacinia.

I finished the day with 57 species.  Not too bad for a hot winter day.