Pygmy Blue
Brephidium exilis (Boisduval, 1852)
Family: Lycaenidae
Status: Rare stray, possibly breeding.
NENHP Rank: Not listed
Range: B. exilis resides in an area from southern California east to southern Texas. From there they stray north as far as Nebraska and Idaho.
Larval Hostplant(s): Various Chenopodiacea of which the following occur in Nebraska: Lamb’s-quarters (Chenapodium album), and Shadscale, Spearscale and Redscale (Atriplex canescens, A. patula, and A. rosea).
Broods/Flight Times: N/A
Overwintering: Not this far north.
Habitat: Barrens, low weedy areas with hostplants.
Avg. Wingspan: 1/2 – 3/4 inch
Found at: N/A
Similar Species: Marine and Reakirt Blues
Notes: One of our smallest butterflies. Closely examine any very small blues that you see.
Pygmy Blue, Schramm Park, Sarpy County, L. Padelford
