BRN 9-3 - Flipbook - Page 34
territories were the most commonly observed behaviors.
Females, perching (from near the ground surface to ~0.5m
high typically on dense patches of grass species and
adjacent overhanging twigs) while hunting and exhibiting
mating behaviors were uncommon observations. All
individuals used perches in dappled sunlight or in full
sunshine adjacent to shaded areas. The males typically
emerged to perches about 1/2 hour before females,
between the hours of ~10am-2pm daily.
California Spreadwing
Archilestes californicus
(McLachlan, 1895)
by James Von Loh
During the Autumn of 2025, California Spreadwings were
Þrst observed along the Rio Grande on October 24th (2
perching males) along the Lower Mogollon Trail in Leasburg
Dam State Park and on October 25th (1 mating pair) west of
Mesilla. There were no additional sightings west of Mesilla
for the remainder of the Þeld season (through midDecember). The Lower Mogollon Trail and adjacent open
areas supported consistent activity by 1-8 individuals
observed on various Þeld days; behaviors included
perching, hunting, territory defense, patrolling, and mating.
A summary of my observations within Do–a Ana County,
with Þeld images and text, is presented below.
1. Male with pruinose (whitish-blue color on thorax and
abdomen tip) coating, perches by hanging from a dead
stem in a visible location, a typical observation along the
Lower Mogollon Trail (12/01/25).
2. Enlargement illustrating the pruinose condition/
distribution on this male's thorax (12/01/25).
3. Enlargement illustrating reduced pruinosity and brighter
blue coloration on this male's thorax (11/09/25).
4. Male with less extensive pruinose coating perches by
hanging from a dead stem in a visible location, along the
Lower Mogollon Trail (11/28/25).
5. Pruinose female in lateral view, landing to perch low by
hanging from a dormant twig along the Lower Mogollon
Trail (11/17/25).
Perching
Individual males hanging from various twig and branch
perches (~0.5m-2m high) while hunting and defending
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