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 | |
| |
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
- Euphilotes pallescens pallescens
- Euphilotes pallescens arenamontana Austin, 1998
- Euphilotes pallescens elvirae (Mattoni, 1966)