Silvery blue butterfly
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
CA: Threatened, CA Special Concern
California Threatened; Species of Special Concern
Small silvery-blue butterfly with orange hindwing spots and dark wing fringes. Caterpillars feed on native lupines and locoweed. Host plant association makes presence reliable Bay Area native plant indicator.
Plants that support Silvery blue butterfly
21 plants
American Willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum subsp. ciliatum
perennial herb
Adult butterfly visits Epilobium flowers for nectar
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
perennial herb
Larval development host; supports multiple broods in California
Bog Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
perennial herb
larval host plant for caterpillars
California Buttercup
Ranunculus californicus var. californicus
perennial herb
Early season nectar source
California Golden Violet
Viola pedunculata
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on viola foliage during spring growth
California Manroot
Marah fabacea
vine
Early spring larval host plant for this native California butterfly
Cascara Sagrada
Frangula purshiana
shrub
Nectar source during spring emergence and breeding season
Chick lupine
Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus
annual
Preferred larval host plant in coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats
Delta Tule Pea
Lathyrus jepsonii var. californicus
perennial herb
Caterpillars develop on plant foliage; key larval host for this specialist butterfly
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum stellatum
perennial herb
Spring and early summer nectar source April-July
Goldeneggs
Taraxia ovata
perennial herb
Early season host plant for emerging larvae
Menzies' fiddleneck
Amsinckia intermedia
annual
Caterpillars feed on developing plant tissues during spring emergence and summer
Mosquito Bills
Primula hendersonii
perennial herb
Early flight season nectar source
Pacific Black-snakeroot
Sanicula crassicaulis
perennial herb
Host plant for larvae, species-specific relationship
Pacific Pea
Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus
vine
Early spring larvae feed on legume foliage
Sky Lupine
Lupinus nanus
annual
Important larval host plant for caterpillar development
Vetch
Vicia gigantea
vine
Larvae develop on native vetch species; primary host plant relationship
Yellow Coastal Bush Lupine
Lupinus arboreus
perennial herb
Larval host plant; larvae feed on foliage