[obol] B. Fly ID Off topic

[Al Ahlgrim]

Each spring, sometimes as early as February, tiny, tiny bright white butterflies appear in the Willamette Valley and around our home.  They have several black cells at the tips and may have black along the front of the inner upper forewing.  A look at guide books and the internet leads me to Spring White Pontia sisymbrii.  But, the guides indicate Spring Whites are 1 to 1.5 inches in wingspan, and these little ones I see are typically closer to or less than .5 inches or 1 cm in span.  In flight the butterflies have a black/white checker board appearance and some are so small that I have at first glance mistaken them for falling blossom petals.  Are these small Spring Whites or any suggestions as to ID?  Direct email ok for reply.

Thanks, Al Ahlgrim
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