Here we have an Orange Yellow Sulfur butterfly nectaring on the wildflower Dakota Vervain. Colias urytheme is a highly variable butterfly in terms of its markings. However, the large orange spots on the upper wings and the black margins are sufficient to classify this specimen. This one lacks a large silver eyespot on the hindwing, but this is not enough to discount the identification.

This member of the Pieridae family (White & Sulphur butterflies) is found all over the United States and migrates into most of Canada. In this image, you can see the proboscis being rolled up as the butterfly prepares to move to another location.

In the last image, you can see the full wingspread as this butterfly lands on another Dakota Vervain flower head. Orange Yellow Sulfurs like open grassland habitats and feed on nectar from a large variety of wildflowers, and crops like alfalfa. This image shows a little blurriness on the left wing due to its motion. The breeze was blowing that day and caused this subject to move at inopportune times.

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The Meridian Skipper, Erynnis meridianus, is unrolling his proboscis in preparation for gathering nectar from the Dakota Vervain flowers he is on. Visible here are the transparent spots on a uniform brown colored underside of the wings.

The Meridian Skipper is a member of the Hesperiidae or Skipper family of butterflies. This specimen is busily nectaring from a Dakota Vervain flower. I am always amazed at the way these tiny beings are able to locate and probe complex flower parts with their “long straw”.

This image shows a Meridian Skipper rolling up his proboscis in preparation for moving to another flower. His species belongs to the subfamily Pyrginae which are the Open-Winged Skippers. This individual has his wings partially open which is acceptable for membership in this group. It is also handy to be able to see the wing markings and colors which help identify this little fella. Note the white “fringe” on the wing margins.

In this final image, you can see the proboscis almost completely coiled for storage prior to flight. What an incredible, complex appendage in such “simple” creatures.

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