Common NameShasta BlueSeasonalityOne yearly flight, peaking in late June to early July.IdentificationThe underside pattern and small size are most similar to the Acmon Blue (I. acmon). Shasta, however, lacks the spot in the middle of the discal cell of the forewing underside; Shasta also has much smaller orange spots on the hindwing underside margin than both the Acmon and Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa).
Alternative nomenclature at the genus level is presented by Balint & Johnson (1997) and Gorbunov (2001).
Scientific NameIcaricia shastaCommon Name
Shasta Blue
Habitat
Prairie badlands and sparsely vegetated hill- and ridge tops.
Seasonality
One yearly flight, peaking in late June to early July.
Identification
The underside pattern and small size are most similar to the Acmon Blue (I. acmon). Shasta, however, lacks the spot in the middle of the discal cell of the forewing underside; Shasta also has much smaller orange spots…
The underside pattern and small size are most similar to the Acmon Blue (I. acmon). Shasta, however, lacks the spot in the middle of the discal cell of the forewing underside; Shasta also has much smaller orange spots on the hindwing underside margin than both the Acmon and Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa).
Alternative nomenclature at the genus level is presented by Balint & Johnson (1997) and Gorbunov (2001).
Life History
There is no information available for Canadian populations. In the western US, the larva is variously coloured brown, white or green with darker dorsal and lateral stripes and oblique brown stripes, or solid green…
There is no information available for Canadian populations. In the western US, the larva is variously coloured brown, white or green with darker dorsal and lateral stripes and oblique brown stripes, or solid green (Scott 1986). Pupae, which are often attached to the underside of a rock by a silk girdle, are equally variable in colour, ranging from tan to green (Scott 1986). The life cycle takes two years to complete in the US, hibernating as eggs and again as mautre larvae (Scott 1986).
Conservation
No obvious concerns.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on a variety of legumes in the US, including species of Astragalus, Oxytropis, Trifolium and Lupinus (Scott 1986). Adults nectar at yellow composites (Bird et al. 1995).
Range
Southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan south to Colorado and east-central California (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Icaricia shasta
Page Citation
"Species Details - Icaricia shasta, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2608. Accessed 06 Feb. 2025.
References
AuthorOpler, Paul A.
TitleA field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date1999
Pages540
AuthorBird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
TitleAlberta Butterflies
Publication Date1995
Pages349
AuthorGuppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
TitleButterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date2001
Pages414
AuthorBalint, Z. and K. Johnson.
TitleReformation of the Polyommatus section with a taxonomic and biogeographic overview.
Publication Date1997
Series TitleNeue Entomologische Nachrichten
Volume40
Pages1-68
AuthorScott, J. A.
TitleThe Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date1986
Pages583 pp.
AuthorGorbunov, P.Y.
TitleThe Butterflies of Russia: classification, genitalia, keys for identification.
Publication Date2001
Pages320
Specimen Information
There are 8 specimens of this Species.
8 results plotted on map in 5 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.