Butterflies at Home



Acmon Blue

The Acmon Blue (Plebejus acmon) is a small butterfly found in California west of the Sierra Nevada south into northern Baja California. It is sometimes spotted into Oregon. Upper sides of the male are bluish while the female more a brown coloration. The underside is white with black spots. Both sexes feature a red-orange band on the hindwing.

Wing spread: 0.75" - 1.1"

Host Plants: Buckwheats, lupines and milkvetches

Acmon Blue Butterfly Life Cycle Stages and Times

Stage Typical Duration
Egg stage 3 to 6 days
Caterpillar (larval) stage 2 to 3 weeks
Chrysalis (pupal) stage 8 to 12 days
Adult butterfly stage 4 to 10 days

 

Acmon Blue Butterfly
Acmon Blue Butterfly

Acmon Blue Butterfly in California
Acmon Blue Butterfly
Photos by and courtesy of Alan Schmierer