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 25 - 48 of 990 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 30, 2024
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 01, 2024
Observation date: Mar 03, 2024
Submitted by: pamelmmc
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 10, 2024
Observation date: Oct 20, 2023
Submitted by: kathashagen
Region: West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jan 15, 2024
Observation date: Apr 29, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 04, 2024
Observation date: Nov 15, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Baja California Sur, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Dec 13, 2023
Observation date: Nov 17, 2023
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 20, 2023
Observation date: Nov 06, 2023
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Nov 15, 2023
Observation date: Nov 12, 2023
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 13, 2023
Observation date: Nov 02, 2023
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 04, 2023
Observation date: Oct 18, 2023
Submitted by: Martin Neil UK
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 24, 2023
Observation date: Oct 07, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Navajo County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 17, 2023
Observation date: Sep 11, 2023
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2023
Observation date: Oct 05, 2023
Submitted by: kjaldridge
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 12, 2023
Observation date: Oct 05, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 09, 2023
Observation date: Aug 17, 2023
Submitted by: chherrmann
Region: Churchill County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 28, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2017
Submitted by: Stefan Kreitmeier
Region: Grand County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Sep 01, 2014
Submitted by: rockmarbles
Region: Davis County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Aug 21, 2017
Submitted by: dingoqueen
Region: Weber County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Aug 12, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2023
Observation date: Aug 07, 2023
Submitted by: Ron Smith
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 08, 2023
Observation date: Jul 28, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 04, 2023
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jun 27, 2023
Submitted by: robtluke@aol.com
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 22, 2023
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