Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

San Emigdio Blue
Plebejus emigdionis (F. Grinnell, 1905)


Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Identification: Upperside of male pale blue with wide brown border; hindwing with faint orange band at outer margin. Female brown with blue at wing bases and orange bands near outer margins. Underside of both sexes white with many small black spots; forewing postmedian band has 2 elongated spots.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on leaves of the host plant. Caterpillars eat leaves and are tended by ants. Older caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: Three flights from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Shadscale (Atriplex canescens) in the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae).
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Shadscale scrub in desert canyons and near washes.
Range: Very local in southern California from Inyo County south through the Mojave Desert, San Joaquin Valley, Bouquet and Mint Canyons, and Los Angeles County.
Conservation: Habitat of all populations should be monitored or conserved.
NCGR: G3 - Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range (21 to 100 occurrences). (Threatened throughout its range).
Management Needs: Maintain habitat and protect from non-indigenous plants.
Comments: NULL
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