Insecta

Mission Blue Butterfly www.calacademy.org

Class Order Family Species

Insecta Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Plebejus icarioides missionensis

Range Reproduction Special Adaptations

San Bruno Growth: complete metamorphosis Many of the Mountain in San Egg: laid on the leaves or terminal buds of the lupine from late caterpillars in this Mateo County, Fort March to early July. Hatch soon after being laid (in about 4-7 family of butterflies Baker (at the north days) depending on temperature). posses glands which end of the Golden Larva: feed on the food plant for a short time, when they are about secrete sweet Gate Bridge) in half grown they crawl to the base of the plant where they substances that Marin County and spin a silken chamber. They remain in a dormant condition attract ants. The ants on Twin Peaks in throughout the winter. In February to April they come out feed on the sweet San Francisco, and continue to eat until full grown. substance and in California. Pupa: about 2 weeks return protect the Adult: emerges in late March to early July to mate and repeat they caterpillars from cycle. Only one generation per year. predation. The Habitat Mission Blue has these glands but the Temperate regions Physical Characteristics degree to which they are associated with Adult Caterpillar ants is not known. Niche Mouthparts: siphoning/sucking chewing The caterpillars of Wings: 2 pair none Sources the Mission Blue Legs: 3 pair 3 pair, 5 pair fleshy prolegs feed only on lupine Larva: green (23) (38) (39) (40) (41) plants. The species requires very Adult: Wingspan of 25mm. The male is iridescent blue on the specialized upper wings with narrow black and white margins. The environments female is primarily brown with some iridescent blue found only in the overlay. The underside of the wings of both sexes are coastal Bay Area. gray and brown with dark spots.

Diet Conservation Concerns

Nature: caterpillar The Mission Blue is and endangered species and has been on the feeds only on Endangered Species List since 1976. The species was first described in lupine plants 1937 on Twin Peaks in San Francisco and probably use to live in much of (lupinus albifrons the San Francisco Bay Area. Due to urbanization, much of the habitat that variety collinus) these butterflies need to survive has been destroyed. Note: It is illegal to remove any specimens from the wild because of their Endangered Species status. SaveNature.Org Updated 2010: SaveNature.Org • 699 Mississippi Street • Suite 106 • San Francisco, CA 94107 • [email protected] Original: Written by Leslie Saul and Esther Julier, LITES Project, Oakland, CA. © National Science Foundation, 1994