Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1157379

Acmon Blue
Plebejus acmon

Observation date: February 27, 2016
Submitted by: janeyd
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I added this observation as Acmon Blue in iNaturalist. There were suggestions that it is a female Clemence's Lupine Blue (Icaricia lupini ssp. monticola). I am not experienced enough to confirm. There was significant debate about this observation, especially because of location. There was a suggestion to submit here for expert advice.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 14, 2018
Coordinator notes: Based on the date, it would have to be an Acmon Blue form "cottlei." Not all individuals are identifiable, especially without knowing the hostplants. I just elevated two former "Lupine Blues" subspecies: monticola and chlorina to full species status. Monticola might be on the Channel Islands, it uses Eriogonum fasciculatum as a host, but so can Acmon. Chlorina uses Eriogonum umbellatum and occurs at much higher elevations.-Ken Davenport