Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Brephidium (?) exilis ("small")

Adult Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis) at Hayward, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Brephidium exilis exilis
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 1.2-2cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The smallest butterfly species in North America and one of the smallest in the entire world, they are primarily found in alkaline habitats such asthe salt marshes where I saw them in California. An introduced range has established itself in various nations of the Middle East.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Brephidium
SUBSPECIES: B. e. exilis, B. . ipphthalma, B. e. thompsoni, B. e. yucateca

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found at South Western States
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  Hayward  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto