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Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Identification: Tiny. Upperside copper brown with dull blue at the bases of both wings. Underside of hindwing is copper brown with white at the base; fringe mostly white; 3 small black spots near base; row of black spots at outer margin.
Wing Span: 1/2 - 3/4 inch (1.2 - 2 cm).
Life History: Males patrol over the host plants all day to find receptive females. Females lay eggs all over the host but particularly on the uppersides of leaves. Caterpillars eat all parts of the plant. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: July-September in the north, all year in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Chenopodium album, saltbush species (Atriplex), and others in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Alkaline areas such as deserts, salt marshes, and wasteland.
Range: Common. Central California east to southern Nevada, central Arizona, central New Mexico, and west Texas. South through southern California, Baja California, and Mexico to Venezuela. Migrates to Arkansas, Nebraska, and Oregon.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Brephidium exile
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 73 - 96 of 972 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 22, 2022
Submitted by: plawryniuk
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 27, 2022
Observation date: Sep 25, 2022
Submitted by: L.Hale
Region: Texas, Lubbock County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 25, 2022
Observation date: Sep 17, 2022
Submitted by: PONYRCR
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 24, 2022
Observation date: Sep 13, 2022
Submitted by: ncowey
Region: Texas, Matagorda County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 14, 2022
Observation date: Sep 08, 2022
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Lyon County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 13, 2022
Observation date: Aug 25, 2022
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 11, 2022
Observation date: Sep 03, 2022
Submitted by: cklindsey
Region: Walla Walla County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 04, 2022
Observation date: Mar 01, 2020
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 03, 2022
Observation date: Aug 24, 1984
Submitted by: James Steen
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 18, 2022
Observation date: Aug 08, 2022
Submitted by: John Calhoun
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 12, 2022
Observation date: Aug 04, 2022
Submitted by: John Calhoun
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 12, 2022
Observation date: Aug 04, 2022
Submitted by: John Calhoun
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 12, 2022
Observation date: Aug 02, 2022
Submitted by: John Calhoun
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 12, 2022
Observation date: Jul 23, 2022
Submitted by: Djsmith
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 06, 2022
Observation date: Jul 25, 2022
Submitted by: Ron Smith
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 06, 2022
Observation date: Jul 23, 2022
Submitted by: tjunderwood
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 06, 2022
Observation date: Jul 31, 2022
Submitted by: tjay13
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 05, 2022
Observation date: Jul 30, 2022
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 05, 2022
Observation date: Jul 29, 2022
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 05, 2022
Observation date: Jul 17, 2022
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 31, 2022
Observation date: Jul 25, 2022
Submitted by: Janet Ruth
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 31, 2022
Observation date: Jul 16, 2022
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Ouray County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 19, 2022
Observation date: Jul 07, 2022
Submitted by: Eric Hartshaw
Region: Mesa County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 13, 2022
Observation date: Jun 19, 2022
Submitted by: shar4j
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2022
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