Palos Verde Blue
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Palos Verde Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis), male
A few weeks ago, we spent nearly a week in San Diego, CA. During that time we had the opportunity to visit a federally-permitted rearing and releasing operation for the endangered Palos Verde Blue butterfly, Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdensis, a subspecies of the Silvery Blue. Fourteen years ago (1994) this butterfly, thought to be extinct, was re-discovered on a small batch of southern California locoweed (Astragalus trichopodes var. lonchus) on a military base on the Palos Verde peninsula, an area protected from the surrounding development by the burgeoning population of Southern California. Fortunately we arrived on the weekend of peak eclosure and were able to watch as the butterflies were sexed and placed in rearing cages. Once the first batch of eggs are laid, the butterflies will be then be released to appropriate natural habitat to continue their life cycle in the wild. The photo above is a male and the one below shows the underwing pattern common to both sexes. We felt quite privileged to be able to observe and even assist with this well-run operation for a few hours.
Palos Verde Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis), underwing view
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hello…I hope its o.k to post this photo on my blog to tell people about this great little butterfly coming back from extinction.I will link your blog to mine so people can find out more…cheers…Kerry