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Eastern Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium pseudofea
Lycaenidae
Copyright by: Beryn Harty, 2014
Description:
Tiny butterfly with a wingspan up to 5/8 inch. The upperside of the wings is copper brown; the underside of the hindwing and the fringes are dark brown. There are four black eyespots on the margin of the hindwing. The caterpillar is very small, slug-like, and bright green with a black head, faint markings and very small hairs. The pupa is typically yellowish-brown, with dark brown spots.
Range:
Southern United States, north to South Carolina and west to Texas; Bahamas.
Locally uncommon; adults and caterpillars present February-November in most of Florida and all year in South Florida. Abundance varies from season to season and year to year.
Habitat(s):
Coastal marshes and tidal flats.
Reproduction:
Three or more broods per year. The flat, whitish or pale bluish-green eggs are laid on the stems of host plants.
Natural History:
Eastern pygmy-blues are weak, slow fliers. They rarely open their wings when perched. Males fly low over host plants, searching for females. Caterpillars may be tended by ants.
Food:
Native larval host plants include saltwort (Batis maritima), annual glasswort (Salicornia bigelovii) and perennial glasswort (Sarcocornia perennis). Native nectar plants include saltwort (Batis maritima) and the weedy Spanish-needles (Bidens alba var. radiata).
Map of native range by ZIP code north to Indian River and Manatee counties.
