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Plebejus icarioides
Boisduval's Blue was the most common blue butterfly that I found puddling. There were probably thousands lining the moist ditches on a hot day. Its identified best by the ventral side of its wings (seen in pics 3 and 4). The wingspan is 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inch.
Spotted along the edges of N. Wenas Road in ditches, where there was moist soil. 1600 ft a.s.l.
Host plants are lupines. Adult butterflies live on nectar from a variety of flowers including cryptantha and Eriogonum, or buckwheat.
4 Comments
Thank you for your kind comments, Neil, Saturniidae27, and i_munasinghe. This was probably the hottest day we have had and the butterflies where so intent on their puddling activities they would forget about me after awhile.
Joining after some time and oh what a great spotting!!! This made my day, so beautiful!!!! :)
Same for me Neil, they just seem to stay for you Brian. Amazing shots :)
Awesome spotting, Brian. How did they all not just fly away? You have better luck than I do with butterflies!