Polyommatinae
Guides
Brephidium
pygmy blues
Brephidium is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as pygmy blues. The genus contains three species with a striking disjunct distribution: two species occur in the Americas (Brephidium exilis and Brephidium pseudofea), while the third (Brephidium metophis) is found in southern Africa. These are among the smallest butterflies in the world, with Brephidium exilis being the smallest butterfly in North America.
Celastrina echo sidara
echo azure, western azure
Celastrina echo sidara is a subspecies of the echo azure butterfly, originally described by Clench in 1944. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the gossamer-winged butterflies. The subspecies is currently treated as a synonym of Celastrina ladon in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty within the Celastrina echo species complex. As a member of the Polyommatinae subfamily, it shares characteristics with other 'blue' butterflies.
Celastrina neglecta
Summer Azure
Celastrina neglecta, the summer azure, is a small North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is distinguished from similar Celastrina species by its late-season flight period, pale blue upper surface with extensive white scaling, and specific wing pattern details. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, previously treated as a synonym of C. argiolus lucia.
Cyclargus thomasi
Miami blue, Caribbean blue, Thomas's blue
Cyclargus thomasi is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae with a disjunct distribution across the Caribbean, Florida, and parts of North America. The subspecies C. t. bethunebakeri, known as the Miami blue, is endemic to Florida and was federally listed as endangered in 2012. This subspecies has declined dramatically due to habitat loss and now persists primarily in the Florida Keys. The species exhibits myrmecophilous relationships with ants, particularly Florida carpenter ants, which protect caterpillars in exchange for sugary secretions.
Euphilotes enoptes enoptes
dotted blue
Euphilotes enoptes enoptes is the nominate subspecies of the dotted blue butterfly, a small lycaenid found in western North America. It belongs to a species complex with localized, patchy distributions tied to specific host plant communities. The subspecies is less studied than its federally endangered relative E. e. smithi, with most ecological research focusing on that coastal California population.
Euphilotes rita
Rita's Blue, rita blue, desert buckwheat blue
Euphilotes rita is a small lycaenid butterfly native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active from July through late September, with a single generation per year. The species exhibits strong ecological specialization on wild buckwheat (Eriogonum species) throughout its life cycle. Larvae are tended by ants, a characteristic mutualism within the Polyommatinae.
Leptotes cassius
Cassius blue, tropical striped blue
Leptotes cassius is a small, strikingly blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, distributed across the southern United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The species exhibits facultative myrmecophily, with larvae tended by Camponotus ants, though ant presence does not significantly influence oviposition decisions. Caterpillars are florivorous, developing inside flower buds of leguminous host plants. Multiple subspecies are recognized, with L. c. theonus serving as the type species of the genus Leptotes.
Philotes sonorensis
Sonoran blue, stonecrop blue
Philotes sonorensis, the Sonoran blue or stonecrop blue, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Philotes. This small butterfly 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 subspecies P. s. extincta from the upper San Gabriel River wash was declared extinct in 1970 after three decades of annual sampling documented its disappearance.
Philotiella
Philotiella is a genus of small 'blue' butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, subfamily Polyommatinae, native to western North America. The genus contains two recognized species: Philotiella leona (Leona's Blue), described in 2000 and considered imperiled, and Philotiella speciosa (small blue), described in 1877. Research on P. speciosa indicates that diapause intensity varies with elevation and correlates with host plant bloom periods. Philotiella leona has been the subject of population biology and life history studies in south-central Oregon due to its conservation concern.
Plebejus glandon
Arctic Blue, Glandon Blue
Plebejus glandon, commonly known as the Arctic Blue or Glandon Blue, is a small lycaenid butterfly found in alpine and arctic regions of Europe. It is currently classified under the genus Agriades by some authorities, though historically placed in Plebejus. The species inhabits high-elevation habitats and has been documented across mountainous regions of central and southern Europe. Like other members of the Lycaenidae family, it likely engages in associations with ants, though specific behavioral details for this species are not well documented in the provided sources.
Plebejus glandon rusticus
Rustic Blue
Plebejus glandon rusticus is a subspecies of Arctic Blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to a genus of small, often iridescent blue butterflies commonly known as "blues." The species Plebejus glandon has a Holarctic distribution with multiple described subspecies showing regional variation. Subspecific status indicates geographic differentiation in morphology or ecology from the nominate form.
Plebejus icarioides lycea
Plebejus icarioides lycea is a subspecies of the Boisduval's blue butterfly, a member of the family Lycaenidae. The species Plebejus icarioides is known to have multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. According to GBIF taxonomy, this subspecies is currently treated as a synonym, with the accepted name being Cupido pembina. The subspecies was originally described by W.H. Edwards in 1864.
Plebejus icarioides parapheres
Plebejus icarioides parapheres is a subspecies of the Boisduval's blue butterfly complex, originally described from California. It is currently treated as a synonym of Icaricia icarioides parapheres in some taxonomic databases. The species group is associated with leguminous host plants and has been subject to conservation research due to habitat loss pressures affecting related subspecies.
Plebejus idas nabokovi
Nabokov's Blue, Lupine Blue
Plebejus idas nabokovi is a subspecies of the Idas Blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is named after the novelist and lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov. This small blue butterfly is part of the Plebejus idas species complex, which shows considerable geographic variation across its range. The subspecies is associated with lupine host plants and has been studied in the context of butterfly-ant mutualisms and host plant specialization.
Plebejus lupini
Lupine Blue
Plebejus lupini, the Lupine Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species is associated with lupine host plants (genus Lupinus), as indicated by its specific epithet. It occurs in western North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Like other members of the genus Plebejus, it is part of the diverse blue butterfly radiation in the family Lycaenidae.
Plebejus saepiolus
Greenish Blue, Icaricia saepiolus
Plebejus saepiolus, commonly known as the Greenish Blue, is a small lycaenid butterfly native to North America. It is closely related to other Plebejus species such as P. acmon (Acmon Blue) and P. melissa (Melissa Blue), with which it shares similar habitat preferences and morphological features. The species has been documented across western and northern regions of North America including Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the characteristic blue coloration on the upper wing surfaces of males.