Shasta Blue

icaricia shasta

The Shasta Blue (Icaricia shasta) is a captivating small butterfly, renowned for its striking iridescent blue wings and its affinity for high-altitude environments. This species plays a vital role in its subalpine ecosystems as a pollinator and an herbivore in its larval stage. Its life cycle is intrinsically linked to specific host plants, primarily various species of Lupinus, making it a specialist within its mountainous habitat. The Shasta Blue's short adult flight period and preference for open, sunny meadows make it a cherished sight for naturalists and hikers who venture into its elevated home during the summer months.

生息地: Found in high-altitude meadows, subalpine slopes, and open montane areas, often where its host plant, Lupinus, is abundant.

外見

The Shasta Blue is a diminutive butterfly, typically exhibiting a wingspan of 2 to 3 cm. Males are easily identified by the brilliant, iridescent blue on the dorsal surface of their wings, often with a narrow black margin and a fringe of white. Females are usually a duller blue, sometimes with a brownish wash, and may have a series of dark spots near the hindwing margin. The ventral side of both sexes is grayish-brown, adorned with a scattering of black spots outlined in white, and a row of submarginal black spots on the hindwing, which are often capped with orange crescents, a key identifier.

界Animalia門Arthropoda綱Insecta目Lepidoptera科Lycaenidae属Icaricia

Shasta Blue

カテゴリ

昆虫

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

スナップ

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おもしろい事実

Shasta Blue butterflies typically have only one generation per year, emerging for a short flight period in mid-summer.

The scientific name 'shasta' refers to Mount Shasta in California, one of the iconic locations where this butterfly can be found.

The undersides of their wings, with their distinct black spots and orange crescents, are crucial for species identification in the field.

Their larvae are often tended by ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for a sweet honeydew secretion.

特殊能力

The Shasta Blue larvae exclusively feed on the leaves of various Lupinus species. This tight ecological bond makes the butterfly highly dependent on the presence and health of these specific plants.

This species is well-adapted to the harsh conditions of high-altitude environments, including cooler temperatures and strong winds, thriving in elevations where many other butterfly species cannot.

Like many Lycaenidae, Shasta Blue larvae secrete a sugary substance that attracts ants. The ants protect the larvae from predators and parasites in exchange for this sweet reward.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 1-2 cm
翼開長: 2-3 cm
体重: 0.0001-0.0002 kg
寿命: 0 年
一度の産卵数: 50-150
抱卵期間: 5-10 日

食性と食事

Adult Shasta Blue butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of wildflowers, while their larvae are specialist herbivores, exclusively consuming the leaves of specific Lupinus species.

年齢による違い: Larvae feed on Lupinus leaves, while adults exclusively consume nectar.

主な食物

Nectar from various wildflowers
Lupinus leaves
Alpine aster nectar
Goldenrod nectar

採餌方法

Foraging

生態系とのつながり

host plant

Lupine

Lupinus spp.

The primary food source for Shasta Blue larvae.

mutualism

Field Ant

Formica spp.

Ants provide protection to Shasta Blue larvae from predators in exchange for sugary secretions.

pollinator

Subalpine Daisy

Erigeron peregrinus

Adult Shasta Blue butterflies contribute to the pollination of various high-altitude wildflowers while feeding on their nectar.

eaten by

Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

Various species of birds in the habitat may prey on adult Shasta Blue butterflies.

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

Shasta Blueを見分けるには？

Shasta Blueを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

Shasta Blueの長さは何ですか？

1-2 cm

Shasta Blueの翼開長は何ですか？

2-3 cm

Shasta Blueの体重は何ですか？

0.0001-0.0002 kg

Shasta Blueの寿命は何ですか？

0 年

Shasta Blueは何を食べますか？

Adult Shasta Blue butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of wildflowers, while their larvae are specialist herbivores, exclusively consuming the leaves of specific Lupinus species.

Shasta Blueは通常どこに生息していますか？

Found in high-altitude meadows, subalpine slopes, and open montane areas, often where its host plant, Lupinus, is abundant.

Shasta Blueはどのように狩りをしますか？

Foraging