Veined Blue - Hodges#4382
Plebejus neurona
This record describes Plebejus neurona (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Same coloration on top in both sexes. This species is considered threatened throughout its range (G3 global ranking)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Polyommatinae
- Genus
- Plebejus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rocky outcrops from ~4000 ft. - ~8000 ft. above sealevel (latter is reached at Sugarloaf Peak, San Bernardino Mountains, and Mt. Pinos, Kern County)
Geographic Range
Endemic to Southern California, Transverse Ranges (Mt. Pinos area to the San Bernardino Mountains), and the Tehachapi Mountains.
Seasonal Activity
May - September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval foodplant: Eriogonum wrightii , vars. subscaposum and trachygonum
Life History
1-2 broods
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plebejus neurona. 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 Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Veined Blue - Hodges#4382
What is Veined Blue - Hodges#4382?
Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 (Plebejus neurona) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rocky outcrops from ~4000 ft. - ~8000 ft. above sealevel (latter is reached at Sugarloaf Peak, San Bernardino Mountains, and Mt. Pinos, Kern County) |
| Range | Endemic to Southern California, Transverse Ranges (Mt. Pinos area to the San Bernardino Mountains), and the Tehachapi Mountains. |
What does Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 eat?
The diet of the Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 includes Larval foodplant: Eriogonum wrightii , vars. subscaposum and trachygonum.
When is Veined Blue - Hodges#4382 active?
Veined Blue - Hodges#4382: seasonal activity - May - September.
What is the life cycle of a Veined Blue - Hodges#4382?
1-2 broods