Art Shapiro's Butterfly Site - Lycaeides

Lycaeides idas anna

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:08:45 +0000

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. At some drier Sierran sites other species of perennial lupines seem to be used. This butterfly is locally common, with one brood (typically June-August). Males perch on sunflecked foliage and also puddle enthusiastically. This butterfly often visits flowers of its host (no other butterfly seems to visit them, though) and also Asters, Goldenrods, Dogbane, etc. There is much minor phenotypic variation, both within and among populations.

Lycaeides melissa melissa

admin — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:08:44 +0000

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. Alfalfa-feeding melissa have temporarily colonized roadside feral plants at Donner, but do not seem to persist-perhaps because the host is rather uncommon. At Sierra Valley, triple-brooded (May-October); usually found in ag fields but also at roadside flowers, such as Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum), Asters, Cardaria, Canada Thistle, etc. Females have bold orange markings above, usually fused into a band, and seldom have any blue. The melissa complex does not occur west of the Sierran crest.