Home
Species Detail
Arrowhead Blue
Glaucopsyche piasus (Boisduval, 1852)
Attributes of Glaucopsyche piasusFamily: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae) Subfamily: Blues (Polyommatinae) Identification: Checkered fringes. Upperside of male violet blue with a wide border; female duller. Underside gray with many small black spots. Hindwing with postmedian band of white "arrowheads" pointing inward. Life history: Males patrol during the day near host plants. Females lay eggs on flower buds of host plant; caterpillars eat flowers and fruits. Chrysalids hibernate. Flight: One brood from March-July. Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (2.9 - 3.5 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Lupine (Lupinus) and milkvetch (Astragalus) species in the pea family (Fabaceae). Adult food: Flower nectar. Habitat: Coastal dunes and lowlands in California; mountains elsewhere: scrub, openings in woods, roadsides, trails, meadows, clearings, streamsides. Range: Local and uncommon. British Columbia and southern Alberta south through the mountains of western North America to southern California, northern Arizona, and western Nebraska. Conservation: Populations in southern California need assessment; elsewhere populations are probably not in jeopardy. NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: Not reported. | Documented Records for Glaucopsyche piasus |
  |  |
