Euphilotes pallescens

Euphilotes pallescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Euphilotes
Species: E. pallescens
Binomial name
Euphilotes pallescens
(Tilden & Downey, 1955)[1]
Synonyms
  • Philotes pallescens Tilden & Downey, 1955
  • Euphilotes rita pallescens

Euphilotes pallescens, the pale blue, pallid blue or pallid dotted blue, is a species of butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in south-eastern California, Nevada, southern Utah and northern Arizona.[2]

The wingspan is 16–21 mm. The upperside of the males is pale blue, while the upperside of the females is greyish brown with grey overscales on the wing bases. The underside is almost white with black spots. There usually is an orange marginal hindwing band. Adults are on wing from July to September in one generation per year. They feed on the flower nectar of Eriogonum species.

The larvae feed on the flowers and fruits of Eriogonum species, including Eriogonum kearneyi, Eriogonum microthecum and Eriogonum plumatella. The larvae are tended by ants.

Subspecies

References


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