Small unidentified butterfly (unknown species). Wing span approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters). Attracted mainly to winter savory (Satureja montana) when in bloom, at which time many of these butterflies are seen feeding on the flowers. Although other nectar plants may be blooming at the same time, such as oregano (Origanum vulgare), the butterflies are most interested in the winter savory and are constantly found among them during the entire blooming period. I have seen these butterflies on the same plant for several consecutive seasons.
The small size of this butterfly is the most unusual feature; they are hardly noticeable unless you look closely for them. They are very hard to photograph because they are very wary of their surroundings and if you approach them too closely they will casually fly away.
I checked this website:
Butterflies and Moths of North America
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
The closest that I found that resemble them are Phyciodes species. The wing span of Phyciodes pulchella is listed as 1 - 1 3/4 inches (2.5 - 4.5 cm), so it would be about twice as large as my unidentified species; also the other details (size, markings, etc.) of this and other Phyciodes species do not seem right.
My unidentified butterfly resembles the smallest known butterfly found in North America by size only (not other characteristics):
The Size of the Smallest Butterfly
Scientifically known as Brephidium exilis, the western pygmy blue is the smallest butterfly worldwide. It has a wingspan measuring only 1.2 to 2 centimeters or ½ to ¾ inch. Its wingspread is measured at about ½ inch only. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae or the gossamer-wing butterflies, under the subfamily polyommatinae.
http://www.dimensionsguide.com/how-small-is-the-smallest-butterfly/
Images:
butterfly/WinterSavory#1.jpg : this is blurry but these are the best pics I could get at the time because the butterflies are so difficult to photograph. It shows a butterfly on flowers of winter savory (Satureja montana), with oregano (Origanum vulgare) growing among it (not in bloom). The approximate size of a single winter savory flower is 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. This pic was taken in 2010.
