Western Square-dotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides [Behr])
Wing span: 11/16 - 13/16 inches (1.6 - 1.7 cm).
Identification: Extremely variable geographically. Upperside of female brown often with orange band on outer edge of hindwing. Male blue with dark borders. Male may have orange band on outer edge of hindwing.
Life history: Males patrol all day near host plants to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on host plant flowers; caterpillars eat flowers and fruits, and are protected by ants. Chrysalids hibernate in sand or leaf litter.
Flight: One flight; Mid-April to August depending on location and host bloom.
Caterpillar hosts: Various wild buckwheats (Eriogonum species) including coastal buckwheat and sulphur-flower.
Adult food: Flower nectar especially that from Eriogonum species.
Habitat: Varies by subspecies; includes, prairie, open woodlands, chaparral, dunes, and alpine rock gardens.
Range: Spotty distribution from Washington south to Baja California Norte, thence west to southern Colorado and New Mexico.
Conservation: The El Segundo Blue (Euphilotes battoides allyni) is listed as an Endangered species because almost 99 percent of its sand dune habitat between Los Angeles and San Diego has been destroyed or degraded.
