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Pallid Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes pallescens [Tilden and Downey])

Wing span: 5/8 - 13/16 inches (1.6 - 2.1 cm).

Identification: Upperside of male pale blue often without aurora. Upperside of female grayish brown with gray overscales on the wing bases. Underside almost white with distinct black spots; orange marginal hindwing band usually present but narrow

Life history: Pallid Dotted-Blues stay near their host plants. Males patrol around the plants all day to find females. Eggs are laid singly on flowers of the host. Caterpillars feed on flowers and fruits, and are tended by ants.

Flight: One flight from early July to September.

Caterpillar hosts: Wild buckwheat species including Kearney's Buckwheat and Plumate Buckwheat.

Adult food: Nectar from Eriogonum flowers.

Habitat: Arid areas such as desert flats and edges of sand dunes.

Range: Southeast California, Nevada, southern Utah, and northern Arizona

Conservation: Some populations are of concern because of limited habitat or threats to habitats.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G3,G4 - . Very rare or local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range OR Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.