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Western Pygmy-Blue

Brephidium exilis

The Western Pygmy-Blue is a tiny butterfly with beautiful blue wings. They love to flutter around flowers and are often found in sunny places. These little butterflies are fun to watch as they dance in the air!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Western Pygmy-Blue is one of North America's smallest butterflies, often less than an inch wide. Its upperwings are a dull coppery-brown with a small patch of iridescent blue near the body, while the undersides are a paler grayish-brown, sometimes with faint white spots. This tiny size and subdued coloring helps it blend in with dry vegetation.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusBrephidium
Western Pygmy-Blue
colorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Western Pygmy-Blue

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Their caterpillars are picky eaters, munching only on flowers and seeds!

These tiny flyers can have up to eight generations in a single year!

Western Pygmy-Blues are the smallest butterflies in all of North America!

You can spot them fluttering near the ocean or in hot, dry desert areas!

Special abilities

Ability

Miniature Master

Western Pygmy-Blue has a super tiny body that helps them easily hide from predators and fit into small crevices.

Ability

Rapid Reproducer

Western Pygmy-Blue can complete its life cycle quickly, allowing many generations to emerge each year, adapting fast.

Ability

Salt-Smart Eater

Western Pygmy-Blue caterpillars can eat salt-tolerant plants, allowing them to thrive in coastal and desert environments.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
10-18 mm
Size
6-10 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Tiny butterflies sipping nectar; caterpillars munch on plant flowers and seeds.

Age differences: Larvae eat plant parts like seeds and flowers, while adults drink nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Saltbush flowers
  • Pickleweed seeds
  • Pigweed flowers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Fourwing saltbush

Atriplex canescens

Larvae feed on its flowers and seeds.

depends on

Dwarf glasswort

Salicornia bigelovii

Larvae feed on its stems and seeds.

eaten by

Flower crab spider

Misumena vatia

Spiders ambush them on flowers.

pollinates

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Adults visit flowers for nectar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and quiet when watching butterflies so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Pygmy-Blue's wingspan?

10-18 mm

How big is Western Pygmy-Blue?

6-10 mm

How long does Western Pygmy-Blue live?

7-14 days

What does Western Pygmy-Blue eat?

Tiny butterflies sipping nectar; caterpillars munch on plant flowers and seeds.

Where is Western Pygmy-Blue usually found?

Grasslands

How does Western Pygmy-Blue hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Western Pygmy-Blue have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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