El Segundo Blue
Common NameEl Segundo Blue
Scientific NameEuphilotes battoides allyni
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)22.5
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblue, grey, black, orange
HabitatCoastal sand dunes, sandy bluffs, and degraded coastal scrub
Geographic RangeCoastal Los Angeles County, California, USA
Host PlantsSeacliff buckwheat (Eriogonum parvifolium)
Flight PeriodLate May to early July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusendangered
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the flower heads of the host plant, Seacliff buckwheat. Larvae feed on the flowers and developing seeds, often in association with ants. Pupation occurs in the soil or leaf litter near the host plant.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the distinctive pattern of black spots and an orange band on the hindwing underside, and its exclusive presence in coastal dune habitats of Los Angeles County, always associated with Seacliff buckwheat.
Description
A small butterfly with a light grey underside featuring numerous black spots and a prominent orange submarginal band on the hindwings. Males typically display iridescent blue on their uppersides.
