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Photo#188614
Which Blue? - Plebejus acmon - male
Copyright © 2008 Ken Schneider

Which Blue? - Plebejus acmon - Male

Aliso Canyon, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, California, USA
June 4, 2008
Size: ~2 cm
I found this bright blue butterfly near a creek. I was not able to get a photo of the upperwings, unfortunately. I think this may be an Acmon Blue (Icaricia acmon) or a Pacific Dotted-Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), but I know this can be a difficult group to ID. Is this a male?
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Contributed by Ken Schneider on 7 June, 2008 - 10:38am
Last updated 3 December, 2009 - 10:02pm

Comments

Moved
Moved from Blues.
… David J. Ferguson, 3 December, 2009 - 10:02pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Butterflies.
… Ken Schneider, 12 June, 2008 - 11:03am login or register to post comments

Based on spots on forewing, I'd say Acmon
but boy, they are close. From the plumbing, I'd say it's a male. If you got a glimpse of the upper wings, note that males are blue and females grey/brown in both species.
… Ron Hemberger, 7 June, 2008 - 6:52pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks, Ron!
Upperwings were bright blue, so I think you're correct that it is a male. I will move to Blues page for now...
… Ken Schneider, 12 June, 2008 - 11:03am login or register to post comments

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