Philotes sonorensis

(Felder & Felder, 1865)

Sonoran blue, stonecrop blue

Philotes sonorensis, the Sonoran blue or stonecrop blue, is the sole in the Philotes. This small is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, inhabiting arid rocky environments. The species has a wingspan of 22–25 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Dudleya species (stonecrops), boring into leaves. The P. s. extincta from the upper San Gabriel River wash was declared extinct in 1970 after three decades of sampling documented its disappearance.

Philotes sonorensis by (c) Pinnacles National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pinnacles National Park. Used under a CC-BY license.NovaraExpZoologischeTheilLepidopteraAtlasTaf35 by Felder. Used under a Public domain license.J20160421-0064—Dudleya cymosa—RPBG (26624941195) by John Rusk from Berkeley, CA, United States of America. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Philotes sonorensis: /fiˈloʊtiːz soʊnoʊˈrɛnsɪs/

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Images

Habitat

Rocky washes, outcrops, and cliffs in desert environments. Associated with stands of Dudleya plants growing in rocky substrates.

Distribution

California, Colorado, and northern Mexico (including Baja California). The extinct P. s. extincta formerly occurred in the upper San Gabriel River wash in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California.

Diet

Larvae feed on Dudleya , specifically D. cymosa, D. lanceolata, and D. saxosa. have been observed feeding on nectar.

Host Associations

  • Dudleya cymosa - larval plantlarvae bore into leaves
  • Dudleya lanceolata - larval plantlarvae bore into leaves
  • Dudleya saxosa - larval plantlarvae bore into leaves

Life Cycle

Complete with four stages: , larva, pupa, and . Larvae bore into leaves of Dudleya . Chrysalids hibernate under stones during winter.

Behavior

Larvae exhibit specialized feeding by boring into leaves of succulent plants. Chrysalids seek shelter under stones for .

Ecological Role

Specialized herbivore in desert , with tight association to Dudleya stonecrop plants. May serve as as .

Human Relevance

Subject of conservation concern due to localized distribution and specificity. The extinct P. s. extincta represents a documented case of extinction in North America, recognized nearly two decades after its disappearance.

Similar Taxa

  • Scolitantides orionClosest relative based on molecular ; distinguished by geographic distribution and plant associations
  • Pseudophilotes speciesRelated in same clade; distinguished by wing patterns and genitalia

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Sources and further reading