Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1248297

Bernardino Dotted-Blue
Euphilotes bernardino

Observation date: May 12, 2020
Submitted by: mstanek
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I believe that this butterfly is sitting on California buckwheat which is this butterfly's hostplant. I have included a picture of the bush with the butterfly. Also, if you look closely it doesn't have the orange band when it's wings are open (like the acmon blue). Can you tell also by the underside spot markings? If so, how?
Status: Unknown
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 13, 2020
Coordinator notes: The orange aurora is visible. There is a Bernardino Blue along that coast that differs from nominate Bernardino Blues. In this case, your locality helps me to know where you are and what is there. Bernardino Blues tend to be much smaller than acmon, have checkered fringes and bolder black spots. But the El Segundo Blue looks similar but is a different species Euphilotes allyni. That names change occurred 2 years ago-Ken Davenport
Checklist region(s): United States, California, Ventura County