Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4
Euphilotes ancilla
This record describes Euphilotes ancilla (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: male upperside deep blue with wide black borders in United States (lilac blue with narrow black borders in Canada); hindwing orange band usually absent; female brown with variably expressed marginal orange crescent on hindwing; underside of both sexes light bluish-gray with two rows of dark spots near margin of both wings, a row of orange spots between them on hindwing, and many small round spots in central area of both wings; fringe of both wings checkered - white with scattered dark patches Larva: body color variable but usually pale whitish or yellowish with brown markings, matching color of flowers of foodplant
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Polyommatinae
- Genus
- Euphilotes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
rocky slopes and flats, open woodland, sagebrush, dry prairies
Geographic Range
western United States, south to California and northern New Mexico, north to southern Alberta and Saskatchewan
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to August in the south (one brood); May to July in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on flowers and young fruit of various buckwheat ( Eriogonum ) species, especially Sulphur-flower Buckwheat within its range adults take nectar from flowers, especially buckwheat ( Eriogonum spp.)
Life History
eggs are laid singly on flowers of hostplant; one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euphilotes ancilla. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Nick Block
Frequently Asked Questions About Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4
What is Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4?
Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 (Euphilotes ancilla) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4?
wingspan 16-25 mm
How do you identify Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4?
Adult: male upperside deep blue with wide black borders in United States (lilac blue with narrow black borders in Canada); hindwing orange band usually absent; female brown with variably expressed marginal orange crescent on hindwing; underside of both sexes light bluish-gray with two rows of dark spots near margin of both wings, a row of orange spots between them on hindwing, and many small round spots in central area of both wings; fringe of both wings checkered - white with scattered dark patches Larva: body color variable but usually pale whitish or yellowish with brown markings, matching color of flowers of foodplant
Where is Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | rocky slopes and flats, open woodland, sagebrush, dry prairies |
| Range | western United States, south to California and northern New Mexico, north to southern Alberta and Saskatchewan |
What does Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 eat?
The diet of the Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 includes larvae feed on flowers and young fruit of various buckwheat ( Eriogonum ) species, especially Sulphur-flower Buckwheat within its range adults take nectar from flowers, especially buckwheat ( Eriogonum spp.).
When is Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4 active?
Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to August in the south (one brood); May to July in the north.
What is the life cycle of a Ancilla Blue - Hodges#4367.4?
eggs are laid singly on flowers of hostplant; one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa