Family:Lycaenidae
Family
Description:
Range:
A western butterfly, it ranges from southern British Columbia and Alberta south
through the western third of the U.S. It occurs through much of Idaho. Typically, it is an uncommon butterfly.
Habitat:
This species occurs in meadows, grassy fields, woodlands,
and in coastal dunes and lowlands.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars eat the flowers and fruits of legumes such as milk vetches (Astragalus
spp.) and lupines (Lupinus spp.).
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar.
Ecology:
The caterpillar is equipped with a honey gland, also known as a dorsal nectary
organ, which emits a sugary solution agreeable to ants. The ants feed on
the solution and in turn protect the caterpillar from predators. Also for protection,
the caterpillar bears a pair of everscible tubercles or tentacles
on the eighth segment.
These tubercles are usually housed within the body, but when the caterpillar
feels threatened by the approach of a potential predator, they can be pushed
out to release a chemical which mimics an ant alarm pheromone. This scent causes the ants to become
frenzied and aggressive, and the potential predator takes leave or is eaten
by the ants. There is one generation of caterpillars each growing season. Each
caterpillar undergoes four stages of growth, called instars. Pupae overwinter in a physiological state called
diapause. Butterflies
typically fly from
March to early July.
Reproduction:
Males actively patrol
in search of females. Females lay eggs singly on host
plants
, primarily
on flower buds.
Conservation:
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Global Rank: | G5; most populations are widespread, abundant, and secure. Certain populations in California, however, may be in jeopardy. |
Ferris, C. D. and F. M. Brown. (eds.) 1981. Butterflies of the Rocky Mountain States. Univ. of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma, USA, 442 pp.
Opler, P. A., H. Pavulaan, and R. E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, North Dakota, USA: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm (Version 05Nov98).
Opler, P. A. and A. B.Wright. 1999. A Field Guide to the Western Butterflies. Second Edition. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York, USA, 540 pp.
Pyle, R. M. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, New York, USA, 924 pp.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, USA, 583 pp.
Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western U.S.A. Butterflies (Including Adjacent Parts of Canada and Mexico). Published by authors, Denver, Colorado, USA, 275 pp.