 |
 
 |
|
|
|
Pumice Dotted-Blue (Philotiella leona [Hammon and McCorkle])
Wing span: 3/4 - 1 inch (1.9 - 2.5 cm).
Identification: Tiny. Upperside of male dark dusky blue on basal half, >outer portions black; female is black with a brown cast. Underside white >with large spots on forewing, small spots on hindwing.
Life history: Probably very similar to that of the Small Dotted-blue.
Flight: One flight from mid-June to early July.
Caterpillar host: Eriogonum spergulinum in the buckwheat family >(Polygonaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar, observed to be from flowers of Epilobium.
Habitat: Ash fields with low scrubby vegetation and open areas of ash.
Range: Klamath County, Oregon.
Conservation: All populations should be conserved and monitored.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G1 -
Management needs: Determine effects of exotic plants and fire on extant populations.
Reference:
Hammond, Paul C. and David V. McCorkle. 2000. A new species of Philotiella from
the Oregon Cascade Range (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).Holarctic Lepidoptera
6(2): 77-82.
Author: Paul A. Opler
|
 1999 -
All Rights Reserved
| |