Plebejus icarioides missionensis
Hovanitz, 1937
Plebejus icarioides missionensis is a of the Mission , a federally endangered lycaenid butterfly to a restricted range in coastal California. The subspecies is part of a complex that has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the Icaricia. Its consists of coastal grasslands and scrub where its larval , silver lupine (Lupinus albicaulis), occurs. The subspecies has been impacted by urban development, , and fire suppression.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Plebejus icarioides missionensis: //plɪˈbiː.dʒəs ɪˌkɛr.iˈɔɪ.diːz ˌmɪʃ.əˈnɛn.sɪs//
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Habitat
Coastal grasslands and scrub in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically associated with silver lupine (Lupinus albicaulis) as the larval .
Distribution
to coastal California, specifically the San Francisco Bay Area including the San Bruno Mountain and surrounding areas.
Host Associations
- Lupinus albicaulis - larval Silver lupine is the primary for larval development.
Human Relevance
The Mission (Plebejus icarioides icarioides/missionensis complex) was one of the first added to the U.S. List in 1976. efforts have focused on protection, removal, and prescribed burning to maintain early-successional habitat. The has been central to debates about urban development limits and endangered species protection in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Similar Taxa
- Plebejus icarioides icarioidesThe nominate of Mission ; morphologically similar and geographically adjacent, requiring careful examination of patterns and for differentiation.
- Plebejus acmonAcmon shares similar size, blue coloration, and preferences in California; distinguished by differences in pattern and associations.