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 1 - 24 of 1014 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 28, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 30, 2025
Observation date: Oct 26, 2025
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Union County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 27, 2025
Observation date: Oct 26, 2025
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Union County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 27, 2025
Observation date: Oct 19, 2025
Submitted by: Deantroi
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 20, 2025
Observation date: Oct 15, 2025
Submitted by: Blue Swallowtail
Region: Adams County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Oct 20, 2025
Observation date: Sep 26, 2025
Submitted by: BT
Region: Texas, Jones County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 27, 2025
Observation date: Sep 01, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 05, 2025
Observation date: Sep 02, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 04, 2025
Observation date: Sep 01, 2025
Submitted by: Janet Ruth
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 01, 2025
Observation date: Aug 20, 2025
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 30, 2025
Observation date: Aug 24, 2025
Submitted by: KittynNM
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 26, 2025
Observation date: Aug 22, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 24, 2025
Observation date: Jul 31, 2025
Submitted by: ronstorey
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 02, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: Pkleinsasser
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 27, 2025
Submitted by: Pkleinsasser
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 17, 2025
Observation date: Jul 04, 2025
Submitted by: Rozelle Wright
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 17, 2025
Observation date: Oct 15, 2024
Submitted by: bentert
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Jul 03, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: sdgoebel
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 14, 2025
Observation date: May 28, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2025
Observation date: Apr 28, 2024
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: May 18, 2025
Observation date: May 14, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 16, 2025
Observation date: Oct 06, 1986
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 05, 2025
Observation date: Apr 25, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 28, 2025
Observation date: Mar 26, 2025
Submitted by: J Tinsman
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 27, 2025
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