Acmon blue explained

Icaricia acmon, the Acmon blue, is a North American butterfly. It ranges mainly in California but can be seen north to Oregon and south through Baja California.

Wingspan is 17-30 mm.[1] The tops of the wings are blue with dark edges in males and brown in females. Its underside is white with black spots for both sexes with a red-orange band on the hindwing.[2] Caterpillars are yellow with white hairs and a green stripe down the back.

Adults feed on nectar while caterpillars can feed on deerweed, buckwheats, lupines, trefoils, and milkvetches.[3]

Like many other lycaenid butterflies, it has a mutualistic relationship with ants, who protect Acmon blue larvae in exchange for honeydew that the larvae secrete.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Will, Kip . Field Guide to California Insects . Gross . Joyce . Rubinoff . Daniel . Powell . Jerry A. . . 2020 . 9780520288744 . Oakland, California . 406.
  2. Web site: Acmon Blue Plebejus acmon (Westwood, [1851]) Butterflies and Moths of North America]. www.butterfliesandmoths.org.
  3. Web site: Icaricia acmon. explorer.natureserve.org.