Western Pygmy Blue

Description:

Wingspan of 2/5 to 3/4 inch. The upperside is an orangey-brown, with blue shading on the bases of the wings. Underneath, the wings are grayish white towards the base. The forewing is shaded with orange on the outermost half; the hindwing is marked with brown patches in the middle and is edged with a row of dark blue spots lined in metallic gold.

Habitat:

Deserts and salt marshes

Notes:

Common name, Western Pygmy Blue. This is the smallest in North America butterfly, and one of the smallest in the world. It is often often overlooked because of its small size and tendency to fly low to the ground.