Aspen Bluebells

Mertensia arizonica

I find these bluebells filling the spaces between the Engleman Spruce and Sub-Alpine Fir trees. They start out with tiny purplish buds, then bloom a warm bright blue, and fade to a purply pink.

I have found the Police Car Moth caterpillar, Gnophaela vermiculite, all over the bluebells in the springtime. I’m not sure they are even interested in eating anything else. This year, these fuzzy creatures were so abundant, every bluebell plant I saw had at least four hungry caterpillars feasting on its leaves.