Plebejus icarioides pembina

(W.H. Edwards, 1862)

Plebejus icarioides pembina is a of in the Lycaenidae, historically classified within the Plebejus. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Cupido pembina according to GBIF . The subspecies was described by W.H. Edwards in 1862. It represents a disjunct of the Melissa blue complex, with the type locality in North Dakota. The to which it belongs has been studied for its of alfalfa and associated ecological interactions across the Great Basin region.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Plebejus icarioides pembina: /plɛˈbiːjus ɪˌkæriˈoʊɪdiːz ˈpɛmbɪnə/

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Distribution

North Dakota; disjunct of the Melissa blue complex. The broader Plebejus icarioides (Melissa blue) occurs across western North America from Alaska to Mexico, with showing localized distributions.

Similar Taxa

Plebejus icarioidesThe nominate ; P. i. pembina was historically distinguished as a disjunct North Dakota with potential subspecific status based on geographic isolation.
Plebejus melissaClosely related within the Melissa blue complex, with which P. icarioides has been historically confused; both species have expanded onto cultivated alfalfa.

More Details

Taxonomic Status

P. icarioides pembina is currently treated as a synonym of Cupido pembina in GBIF. The subspecific status was originally accorded based on the highly disjunct and isolated occurrence of this in North Dakota, similar to the now-extirpated Missouri disjunct population of Habroscelimorpha circumpicta johnsonii that was considered for separate subspecific status. The broader Plebejus icarioides has become a model system for studying range evolution and of novel , particularly alfalfa in the Great Basin.

Research Context

The Melissa blue complex (Plebejus icarioides/melissa) has been extensively studied by Matt Forister and colleagues for understanding evolution, genetic architecture of host use, and -microbe-plant interactions. Research includes NSF-funded work on 'Dimensions: Collaborative Research: The Evolution of Novel Interactions within a Network of Plant, Insect and Microbial Biodiversity' and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding for western monarch and milkweed suitability studies.