Lycaenidae : Polyommatinae
Brephidium exilis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1862)
Pygmy Blue
Brephidium exilis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1862)
Pygmy Blue
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 12-20mm. Sexes similar though males are smaller. This is a tiny and inconspicuous blue (one of the smallest butterflies in the world) and the only one likely to be found in this very specialised habitat comprising a rocky or sandy sea-shore with small low-growing succulents.
Range: Found from the southern USA and Florida through Mexico to northern South America and on the major Caribbean Islands as far east as Hispaniola.
Status: Found only along some sea-shores although occasionally found a little further inland when the foodplant extends there also.
Nectar Plants: Sesuvium, Batis and Lippia alba.
Larval Foodplants: Sesuvium and Batis.
Range: Found from the southern USA and Florida through Mexico to northern South America and on the major Caribbean Islands as far east as Hispaniola.
Status: Found only along some sea-shores although occasionally found a little further inland when the foodplant extends there also.
Nectar Plants: Sesuvium, Batis and Lippia alba.
Larval Foodplants: Sesuvium and Batis.
Egg
Foodplants and Habitat
