Acmon Blue

The Acmon Blue (Plebejus acmon) is a North American butterfly. It ranges mainly in California but can be seen north to Oregon and south through Baja California. 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. Adults feed on nectar while caterpillars can feed on buckwheats, lupines,
trefoils, and milkvetches. 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.

Upperside males of Acmon Blue is blue with dark narrow border; female brown. Underside white with black spot pattern. Hindwing above and below with red-orange submarginal band.Males patrol near hosts for females. Eggs are laid singly on leaves or flowers of host plants.

Caterpillars of Acmon Blue feed on leaves, flowers, and developing seeds, and are tended by ants. Second-stage caterpillars hibernate.Range: Primarily California west of Sierra Nevada-Cascade Divide south to northern Baja California. Precise limits in neighboring Oregon and Nevada not ascertained.

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