Lotis Blue Butterfly Recovery Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Larval &uelopment is general ly completed 4-6 weeks after feeding is
resumed. Larvae of other Fkarctic races of L. argyrognomon feed on
leaves, flowers, and seed pods. The pupal stage probably lasts no
more than a few weeks., The lotis blue butterfly probably undergoes a
similar sequence of events. However, C. Kellner (pers. comm.) noted
that - L. - a. -9 anna in the Trinity and Sierra Nevada Mountains, has an
obl igate egg di apause. Additional research wi 11 be necessary to
deduce specific life history features of the Lotis blue butterfly.
Reasons for Decline and Threats to Survival
The lotis blue butterfly appears to be a naturally rare insect with
low population densities, a1 though this cannot be confirmed. The
1 imited number of specimens in museum collections and personal
observations by 1 epidopteri sts preclude an accurate assessment of the
abundance of the lotis blue butterfly prior to its listing as an
endangered species. Based on discussions with several lepidopterists
who collected or observed the lotis blue butterfly prior to 1975, it
is apparent that even then the butterfly occurred at a very low
density. Seven specimens are the most any collector took on a single
day, although another 12-15 specinlens were observed on that same day
(J. hmel, pers. comm.).
The reasons this butterfly may have decl ined are largely speculative
or 1 imited to circumstantial evidence. Lotis blue butterfly may have
decl ined .because of natural biological factors (high larval mortal i ty,
succession of plant community, etc.). Climatic factors or a change in