Silvery Blue
Common NameSilvery Blue
Scientific NameGlaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblue, gray, black, white
HabitatCoastal sage scrub
Geographic RangePalos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Host PlantsAstragalus trichopodus lonchus, Lotus scoparius
Flight PeriodFebruary to May
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants, larvae feed on leaves and flowers, pupation occurs in leaf litter, and the species overwinters as pupae.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, iridescent blue dorsal wings in males, grayish-brown undersides with small black spots, and its highly restricted range to coastal sage scrub habitats on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Description
A small butterfly with iridescent blue dorsal wings in males, and grayish-brown ventral wings marked with small black spots often ringed in white.
