Overview
The El Segundo blue butterfly is a member of the blue butterfly subfamily, also known as the Polyommatinae in the family Lycaenidae. It was listed as endangered in 1976, and threats to the species include urban development and invasion by exotic species, which have resulted in a significant loss and modification of its habitat.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
It is endemic to coastal sand dunes, which have declined severely due to coastal development.
Life Cycle
Eggs hatch within three to five days and caterpillars undergo four instars, which are developmental periods between molts. The caterpillars then find a suitable leaf or perhaps some sand and form their chrysalis. They’ll emerge from mid-June until early September and live out their butterfly lives from four days to two weeks.
Physical Characteristics
Adults have a wingspan of 0.75 to 1.25 inches.
The wings of the males are a brilliant blue color with an orange border on the rear of the upper hindwings. The females have dull brown colored wings with an orange border on the upper distal surface of the hindwings.
Behavior
Adults drink the nectar of seacliff buckwheat and use the same plant to deposit its eggs, which turn into caterpillars and feed on the leaves.
Geography
They are restricted to coastal Los Angeles County, extending from the Ballona Wetlands south to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A similar subspecies was identified in the Santa Barbara area, but genetic analysis has shown that individuals in this population are not El Segundo blue butterflies.
Timeline
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