Western Pygmy-Blue - Alabama Butterfly Atlas

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Western Pygmy-Blues are the smallest butterflies in North America. They typically range from the lower half of the western U.S. into much of Mexico. Migrates to east and north.

Some lepidopterists consider Western and Eastern Pygmy-Blues to be one species, but most separate them due to differences in genitalia. Even though their flight is weak and low, both species are known to have migratory tendencies and could find their way to Alabama.

A pygmy-blue sighted at Blakely Mud Flats in was initially identified as an Eastern but was later determined to be a Western Pygmy-Blue, the state’s first known record. In 2022, Westerns were also documented in Florida. Extremely tiny, brown butterflies should be closely examined to see which pygmy-blue they might be.

Distribution and Abundance

A dot on the county map indicates that there is at least one documented record of the species within that county. In some cases, a species may be common throughout the county, in others it may be found in only a specific habitat. The High Count information shows the highest numbers recorded for this species as well as when and where they occurred.

The sightings bar graphs depict the timing of flight(s) within each of three geographic regions. Place your cursor on a bar within the graph to see the number of individuals recorded during that period.

The abundance calendar displays the total number of individuals recorded within each week of the month. Both the graphs and the calendar are on based data collection that began in 2000.

The records analyzed here are only a beginning. As more data is collected, these maps and graphs will paint a more accurate picture of distribution and abundance in Alabama. Submit your sightings to albutterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Sightings in the following counties: Mobile

Sightings in the past 5 years
Sightings in the past 5 - 10 years
Sightings more than 10 years ago

High count(s):

1 - Mobile - 7/30/2017

View county names by moving the mouse over a county or view a map with county names

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Habitat

Habitat in the westen United States consists of alkaline areas such as deserts, salt marshes, and disturbed areas. In Alabama and in Florida and Louisiana, Western Pygmy-Blues have been found in salt marshes.

Host and Nectar Plants

In the West, the list of known host plants is extensive and includes saltbush, pigweed, horse purslane, and seepweed.

In Louisiana, American Glasswort is probably a host. Southern Seablite/Annual Seepweed has been documented in Louisiana and Florida. Both plant species occur in Alabama.

No host has been documented in Alabama.