Lupine

Blue

Icaricia lupini

Size: 1.0 - 1.25 inch wingspan

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Key ID features:  Male blue above with narrow black marginal band and white fringe, on HW red-orange band above marginal row of black spots, often with narrow darker band between orange and blue. Female brown above with darker marginal line and white fringe on FW, on HW broad orange band above row  of dark brown marginal spots.  Below, male light bluish gray, female brownish gray, with black spots. HW has row of marginal spots that are black inwardly, then orange, and outwardly black with a circle of iridescent blue.

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Similar species: Acmon Blue very similar, but tends to be smaller, and on males, tends to lack dark border between pinkish-orange band and blue on HW above. Note shorter flight season of Lupine Blue below.

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Host plant: Several Buckwheat (Eriogonum) species.

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Habitat: Wide range of habitats, from sea level lowlands to montane habitats. ​

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Range: Found in all of eastern Oregon and SW Oregon and on Rickreall Ridge in Polk County.

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Season: Late May to early August​

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Abundance: Common 

Conservation Status: Secure