Arrowhead Blue
Glaucopsyche piasus (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: 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.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (2.9 - 3.5 cm).
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.
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.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Not reported.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 486 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 24, 2019
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 25, 2019
Observation date: Jun 08, 2018
Submitted by: magnolyah
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Aug 27, 2018
Observation date: Jul 22, 2018
Submitted by: Chris Carvalho
Region: Hood River County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 19, 2018
Observation date: Jul 13, 2005
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 07, 2018
Observation date: Jul 18, 2018
Submitted by: 4oclockwatch
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2018
Observation date: Jun 23, 2018
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 31, 2018
Observation date: Jul 12, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 23, 2018
Observation date: Jun 07, 2018
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2018
Observation date: Jun 25, 2018
Submitted by: dsperanza
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 26, 2018
Observation date: May 27, 2018
Submitted by: J. Tiehm
Region: Modoc County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 07, 2018
Observation date: May 28, 2018
Submitted by: Chris Carvalho
Region: Wasco County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 03, 2018
Observation date: May 17, 2018
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 20, 2018
Observation date: Jul 13, 2017
Submitted by: 4oclockwatch
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 19, 2017
Observation date: Aug 06, 2016
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Wallowa County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 22, 2017
Observation date: May 04, 2017
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 25, 2017
Observation date: Jun 22, 2016
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 18, 2017
Observation date: May 01, 2016
Submitted by: richtrebbien
Region: Ada County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 20, 2016
Observation date: May 14, 2016
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jun 01, 2016
Observation date: Apr 05, 2016
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 07, 2016
Observation date: Jun 22, 2015
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 10, 2015
Observation date: Jun 03, 2012
Submitted by: mcash70
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Oct 19, 2015
Observation date: May 31, 2012
Submitted by: carlakish
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Feb 06, 2015
Observation date: May 19, 2012
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 28, 2014
Observation date: Jun 09, 2013
Submitted by: HHowell
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 12, 2013
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