Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Apodemia ______ ?

A funny thing happened on the way up a rocky outcropping slope beyond several soapberry trees, all whilst chasing a Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor).

Well, not all was funny.  Tasajillo (Opuntia leptocaulis) and Catclaw Acacia (Acacia greggii) aren't always funny.

But this:


Mexican Metalmark ?? (Apodemia mejicanus) ? ?



The Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia spp.) - complex is a conversation and confrontation revolving around several species and subspecies, subspecies and species, blown up from a single ... species.

This post will likely be updated, but I needed a link of images to throw the way of some lepidopterists in the state, and region, more familiar with the current conversation of this/these bugs out here in the trans-Pecos of far-West TX.

My more recent dealings with the complex are in San Diego County, CA.



Apodemia mejicanus
or
A. duryi
or
A. mejicanus duryi
or ...




Krameria glandulosa, looked to be in the immediate area, see below:



**Addendum**

This species is Apodemia duryi.


I am happy to be reacquainted.
Maybe it will be in flight, in that little corner of private land, for the Bird and Butterfly Festival..
...
along with that Varied Bunting.

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    1. ‎"A. duryi. A. mejicanus tends to be limited to SENM in the immediate region." - TX Lep. Survey, (pers. comm.)

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