The plants they were visiting, Heliotropium curassavicum, are also generally associated with similar conditions: common names include Salt heliotrope, Alkali heliotrope and Seaside heliotrope. The wings typically predominantly display a copper brown in color. It has reached Hawaii, as well as the Persian Gulf, including eastern Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. It is the favorite host plant of the western pygmy blue butterfly (Brephidium exile). Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Butterflies. The state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States is home to about 150 species of butterflies due to its diverse geography. Additionally, males of exilis usually exhibit a slight violet-blue iridescence extending across the basal area of the upperside, which is lacking in pseudofea. This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Las Cruces, New Mexico. Brephidium exilis. The monarch is just one of many butterflies that is in decline. Search. The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis or Brephidium exile) is one of the smallest butterflies in the world and the smallest in North America. Others are found very seldom or are migratory. Look for its rounded, fringed gray, brown, and copper wings, hovering or perching in the saltbush. Host Plants: Members of the plant family Chenopodiaceae; saltbush (Atriplex spp.) Western Pygmy ___ smallest butterflies in the world . Comments & Questions; About WtB; The Bugman of Mt. Salt-bush ( Atriplex spp. 1988. And confusingly, it’s not very blue (Blues are just a type of butterfly.) View gallery. The gorgeous Western Pygmy Blue remains really tiny and possesses an average wingspan of only 1/2 in (1.27 cm). ButterfliesofOregon.com. The adult butterfly lays its blue-green eggs on the leaves of the plant. An adult butterfly may be the sole survivor of hundreds of siblings; it has eluded a host of predators both large and small, and has but a week or two to find a mate so its progeny can begin the cycle anew. The family is further divided into eight subfamilies. Tubular orange or yellow flowers most commonly appearing in spring and summer. Butterflies known as blues are all small, but this one is absurdly tiny, measuring barely over half an inch across with its wings fully spread. About. Next Post Next post: Another word for a donkey. Western Pygmy Blue Location: Mount Washington, Los Angeles, California June 24, 2014 5:00 PM While taking some images of the California Harvester Ants, we noticed a butterfly so small it could only be a Western Pygmy Blue. Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exile) 4 more photos VIEW GALLERY. Only 3/8 inches wide, this tiny animal is one of the world’s smallest butterflies. Blog. Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants. Members' Notes: 2. positives. Your email address will not be published. 0. neutrals . More. The Western Pygmy Blue patrols his host plant hunting for a female with intense concentration. 19.2 Astragalus wootoni (Fabaceae): Icaricia lupini (Lupine Blue) 20.0 Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae): Hesperopsis alphaeus (Saltbush Sootywing); Brephidium exile (Western Pygmy Blue) 20.1 Atriplex canescens: Hersperopsis alphaeus (Saltbush Sootywing) 21.1 Baccharis salicifolia (Asteraceae, = B. glutinosa): Calephelis nemesis (Fatal Metalmark) Next. Try spotting that in a field. Taxonomy . Common Name: (Western) Pygmy Blue This species demonstrates classic source-sink metapopulation dynamics. Required fields are marked * Comment. Leaves are dark green and slightly sticky. This tiny butterfly has a wing span of 1/2 to 3/4 inch and is one of a few species found all over the whole state. ), Lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album ), other members of the goosefoot family, as well as Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ) are larval foodplants of the Western Pygmy-Blue. In her own habitat, Debra nurtures Carolina allspice for migratory birds, bee balm for butterflies, and other native plants that support an abundance of wildlife. Our images are not as nice as Anna’s are, but they do document this lovely diminutive [...] Ask WtB? and Tumbleweed. Western Pygmy-Blue. Western Pygmy blue Butterfly. Salicornia (2) spp. Adults are between 64 and 106 millimetres (average 80) long, with a similar length (53 to 101 mm) prehensile tail that is held coiled and aids its movement through the foliage. They are collectively called Gossamer Butterflies or Gossamer Wings. Among the numerous butterfly species, about 20 are found in the Cascade Mountain region, while the others are spotted in the lowlands and basins near Columbia River, lakes, national forests, and coastal beaches. Even though it’s a common butterfly, the Pygmy Blue is hard to spot because it’s so tiny—about the size of a man’s pinky nail. Keauhou Beach Resort salt ponds, Kailua-Kona, the Big island of Hawaii. The Lepidoptera remains active year-round in the warmest portions of its range. Western Pygmy Blue Physical Characteristics. We are worried about monarch survival because their populations are declining rapidly. Western Pygmy-Blue. This delicate insect also constitutes one of the smallest butterflies on earth and the smallest known in North America. like the one in the photo at left, are found only along the immediate coast where their host plant grows, from central SC to eastern Texas. Order: Lepidoptera (le-pid-OP-ter-a) Family: Lycaenidae: Genus: Brephidium: Species: exile: Regional. Previous Post Previous post: ___ what you did there! Brephidium exilis, Boisduval, 1852. It is fawn or reddish-brown above and white below, with a finely-scaled, naked tail. Prev. The Western Pygmy Possum is a small (weighing between 8 and 21 grams), nocturnal marsupial. So: tiny but beautiful. More. … An evergreen, perennial plant that can grow to around 4 ft tall and 5ft wide. Conservation: Idaho Status: Unprotected nongame species. Giant Swallowtail) and the smallest (Western Pygmy-blue). The smallest butterfly of the North American continent on one of its host plants from the goosefoot family. Oklahoma’s impressive butterfly fauna of more than 170 species includes the nation’s largest (the giant swallowtail) and the smallest (the western pygmy blue), and representatives of all six major butterfly families: Papilionidae (swallowtails), Pieridae (whites and sulphurs), Lycaenidae (gossamerwings), Hesperiidae (skippers), Riodinidae (metalmarks), and Nymphalidae (brush-foots). They feed on native plants, decaying wood of particular plants, algae, lichens, and fungi. Grows in a variety of soil types and tolerates part-shade or sun. Umatilla NWR, Umatilla Co, September 4. English name: Western pygmy blue Japanese name: Distribution in Hawaii: Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii Host Plants: Pickle weed Fleights: Multi-brooded Comments: adult butterflies: early stages: host plants & habitat : other resources: Adult butterflies. Upload an image. These butterflies, whose caterpillars feed on glassworts (Salicornia spp.) At these sites it breeds all winter, except in the coldest weather. 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