Quercus gambellii
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Quercus gambellii Plant
This particular scrub oak plant might be targeted by female Erynnis brizo burgessi and Erynnis telemachus because of the brand new growth of very tender leaves (those in this photograph showing an orangish color). These female duskywing skippers WILL NOT lay eggs on regular leaves.
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Quercus gambellii Plant
Close up of previous photo. Again, rocky mountain and sleepy duskywing females lay eggs on tender new growth oak leaves that are as soft as butter because those are the only types of leaves that the first or second instar larvae can consume. This same principle also applies to Erynnis horatius females laying eggs on tender new oak leaves and buds from the midwestern U.S.
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Quercus gambellii Bud
Scrub Oak bud with Colorado hairstreak egg.
