North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Georgia

Eastern Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium isophthalma)
JPG -- species photo

Eastern Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium isophthalma [Herrich-Schäffer])

Wing span: 3/4 - 7/8 inch (2 - 2.2 cm).

Identification: Tiny. Upperside copper brown. Underside hindwing and fringes dark brown.

Life history: Males patrol low over the host plants in search of females. Flight is weak and slow.

Flight: May-August in Georgia, throughout the year in Florida. Number of broods has not been determined.

Caterpillar hosts: Annual glassworts (Salicornia species) in the goosefood family (Chenopodiaceae).

Adult food: In Florida, nectar from palmetto palm and saltwort (Batis maritima) flowers.

Habitat: Near saltwater in coastal marshes and tidal flats.

Range: South Carolina south along the Atlantic coastal plain to both coasts of Florida and the Keys, west along the Gulf Coast to Louisiana. Occasionally strays to Texas and inland.

Conservation: Not usually required.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

References:


Opler, P. A. and G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the  Great Plains. Johns 

    Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.



Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern  butterflies. Peterson 

    field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,  Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.



Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford  University Press, 

    Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:


Harris, L., Jr.  1972  Butterflies of Georgia.  Univ. of Oklahoma Press, Norman,

     OK.  326 pp.

     

Opler, P.A. 1998. A field guide to eastern butterflies, revised format.

     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.     

Eastern Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium isophthalma)
distribution map
map legend

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