The USGS web www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/wa/toc.htm has some good information in it, but need to be taken with a grain of salt. Some records are not included and some records are included in error. The best state-wide occurrence data for Washington and Oregon are Atlases put together by John Hinchliff and the Evergreen Aurelians. They are available through the Oregon State University bookstore. Anyone doubting the scientific value of work accomplished largely by amateurs should look at these books.

Butterfly taxonomy is still in flux. Discussions often involve large quanitities of beer and the waving of large, heavy objects. Hinchliff - and most others lump the two orange tips found in Washington. Stella's is found east of the Cascade Crest and the Pacific is found west of the crest.

John Fleckenstein