Smallest

Guides

• Brephidium exilis

  Western Pygmy Blue, Pygmy Blue

  Brephidium exilis, commonly known as the Western Pygmy Blue, is the smallest butterfly species in North America. Despite its diminutive size, it is widespread and relatively common across its range, though often overlooked due to its minute stature. The species belongs to the family Lycaenidae (gossamer-winged butterflies) and is recognized as a synonym of Brephidium exile.

  butterflyLycaenidaesmallestNorth-AmericaHawaiisynonymcommon-speciesoverlookedminiature

• Nannothemis bella

  Elfin Skimmer

  Nannothemis bella, commonly known as the elfin skimmer, is the smallest dragonfly in North America. It is the sole species in the monotypic genus Nannothemis. Males are powdery blue, while females are black and yellow with wasp-like coloration. The species inhabits bogs and sedge fens across eastern North America, from Quebec south to Florida and west to Minnesota and Louisiana. Southern populations are disjunct and rare, making the species of conservation concern in that region.

  dragonflysmallestNorth-Americaconservationbioindicatorterritorialitysexual-dimorphismbog-habitatsedge-fenclimate-change-vulnerability