Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2
Euphilotes centralis
This record describes Euphilotes centralis (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished by where found. Separated in recent literature as a distinct species. A debatable arrangement that may not stand the test of time.
Identification notes
Distinguished by where found.
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
Geographic Range
Southern Rocky Mountians into northern Arizona and New Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are Eriogonum species
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euphilotes centralis. 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 Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Nick Block
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2
What is Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2?
Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2 (Euphilotes centralis) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2?
Distinguished by where found.
Where is Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2 found?
Range: Southern Rocky Mountians into northern Arizona and New Mexico.
What does Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2 eat?
The diet of the Central Blue - Hodges#4366.2 includes Larval hosts are Eriogonum species.