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 145 - 168 of 1021 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 19, 2022
Submitted by: shar4j
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2022
Observation date: Jun 23, 2022
Submitted by: JudyLY
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 04, 2022
Observation date: Jul 02, 2022
Submitted by: JudyLY
Region: Chaves County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 04, 2022
Observation date: Jun 20, 2022
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Inyo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2022
Observation date: May 02, 2022
Submitted by: taogirl
Region: Mesa County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 26, 2022
Observation date: Oct 28, 2021
Submitted by: Davidemartin
Region: Adams County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 26, 2022
Observation date: Oct 15, 2021
Submitted by: J Tinsman
Region: Canyon County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: May 31, 2022
Observation date: Oct 17, 2015
Submitted by: Leppix
Region: Idaho County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: May 31, 2022
Observation date: Apr 04, 2019
Submitted by: Gordon Berman
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 14, 2022
Observation date: Apr 24, 2022
Submitted by: satchmo0802
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: May 09, 2022
Observation date: May 07, 2022
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 08, 2022
Observation date: Apr 28, 2022
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Chaves County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 06, 2022
Observation date: Apr 23, 2022
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 24, 2022
Observation date: Apr 14, 2022
Submitted by: dlister
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 16, 2022
Observation date: Apr 12, 2022
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 16, 2022
Observation date: Jan 21, 2014
Submitted by: Paul Tavares
Region: Maui County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 03, 2022
Observation date: Sep 06, 2016
Submitted by: treichard
Region: Maui County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 03, 2022
Observation date: Mar 22, 2017
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Kauai County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 03, 2022
Observation date: Aug 23, 2015
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 03, 2022
Observation date: Dec 28, 2021
Submitted by: malcolmgold
Region: Maui County, Hawaii, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Apr 02, 2022
Observation date: Sep 21, 2021
Submitted by: danielfoxnm
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 04, 2022
Observation date: Nov 07, 2021
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 04, 2022
Observation date: Dec 11, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 03, 2022
Observation date: Oct 12, 2021
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 27, 2022
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