Lycaenidae

The Gossamer-wings are a very diverse and complex family with at least 4750 species worldwide. In California, they can be grouped into the coppers (subfamily Lycaeninae), the blues (subfamily Polyommatinae), and the hairstreaks (subfamily Theclinae). Many species have mutualistic relationships with ants (myrmecophily) where the caterpillar excretes complex carbohydrates through specialized glands for the ants (similar to aphids). In return, the ants defend the caterpillar from predators and parasitoids. While this relationship is usually facultative, the mutualism turns into trickery in some Lycaenid species and the butterfly caterpillars switch from being herbivores to become obligate predators on ant larvae inside the ant mound. As long as the caterpillar continues to produces sugary rewards for the ants, the ants are willing to accept, or are oblivious to, the carnage around them. Other Lycaenid caterpillars are predators on aphids being tended by ants.

Glaucopsyche lygdamus

A common, single-brooded Legume feeder found from sea level (where it flies in March and April) to above tree-line (early summer). There is plenty of variability, especially in the size of the black spots beneath (smaller in colder climates) and in the amount of blue on females above (none to a lot). Local populations tend to specialize on particular host plants. In the Central Valley and lower foothills occurs an "ecotype," or ecological race, adapted to naturalized annual Vetches much used on highway embankments.

Glaucopsyche piasus

Rare and seldom recorded on our transect; tends to be very local, and its habitat preferences are not well understood. It occurs in rocky canyons and mixed mesic forest at mid-elevation, and also at or near tree-line--the one constant is its association with perennial lupines, but they of course are much more widespread and common than the Arrowhead Blue is!

Habrodais grunus

A very strange species, often common to abundant (but occasionally rare) and demonstrably long-lived, yet not known to visit flowers (or anything else resembling a food source) at all. It has a very short proboscis. There is a single brood, emerging in late spring to early summer, estivating in cool, shaded locations on the forest floor (e.g. inside bramble tangles), then re-emerging in autumn to breed - how do they do it? The adults are active in late afternoon and on into dusk, flying around the host tree.

Hemiargus isola

An infrequent stray from southern California or Nevada, where it breeds on woody legumes in the desert and grasslands. It can and does turn up at all altitudes, unpredictably, generally as singletons at flowers, and is not known ever to breed in our area.

Incisalia augustinus iroides

Found from sea level to tree-line in a great variety of habitats; often common. An early-spring species, probably single-brooded but with hints of a second generation at the lowest elevations (which might be due to staggered emergence on different slopes). Males are territorial perchers. Both sexes visit flowers, including those of Redbud early in the season and Yerba Santa later.

Incisalia eryphon

Common at all the Sierran West slope sites. It has clearly moved upslope onto Castle Peak during the term of this study. Males perch around waist height on vegetation along roads and trails and in clearings, and are territorial.. Both sexes visit Ceanothus and other spring flowers, but seldom at ground level. One brood in mid-spring, May-June at Washington, June-July at Donner and Castle Peak. The hosts are "hard" pines (Ponderosa, Jeffrey and Lodgepole, in our area; most common where Lodgepole is dominant).

Incisalia mossii

Although this species has been divided into several subspecies, some with very small ranges, all our populations are considered subspecies windi. One of our earliest-flying species - generally only 2-3 weeks after snowmelt - and therefore very easy to miss. Although it does occur in the Coast Range near Lake Berryessa, it is unrecorded at Gates Canyon. In the Sierra it occurs at Washington, Lang Crossing, and Donner. At lower elevations (5000' and below) usually found on cool, damp north-facing cliffs with mats of Sedum, the host plant.

Leptotes marina

A frequent invader from southern California, sometimes moving north near the coast, sometimes westward from the Great Basin. It is abundant in the southwest deserts, where it feeds on woody legumes, but also in urban and suburban neighborhoods on the south and central coast where it breeds extensively on Leadwort (Plumbago), an ornamental from South Africa unrelated to its native hosts but presumably chemically similar.

Lycaeides idas anna

We are doing extensive molecular studies of this and the Melissa Blue, which are both apparently very evolutionarily dynamic. In our area Anna has two different hostplants, both Fabaceous and both occurring in boggy meadows and montane streamsides. At Lang (and below, and up to 6000' at least) the host is Lotus oblongifolius var. nevadensis, a perennial herbaceous species with bicolor, yellow-and-white flowers. At Donner and on the flanks of Castle Peak the host is Lupinus polyphyllus. Although this plant also occurs at Lang, it is never used there.

Lycaeides melissa melissa

The Lycaeides melissa complex is evolving even as we watch, with several different entities present in our region. "Agricultural" melissa occurs east of the Sierra Nevada and is common in Sierra Valley. It breeds on cultivated alfalfa but is never abundant enough to cause economic damage. It may also utilize both Lupines and species of the genus Astragalus within the region. Molecularly there are two distinct types, one found from Sierraville north, the other in Carson Valley and at Verdi, NV.