Blue Butterflies: Euphilotes
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Physical similarities among Euphilotes species means identification problems abound.
Generally the genus divides along Square-Spotted Blue and Dotted Blue groups, often called complexes, because even within groups, slight physical differences are discernible in different geographical regions.
Generally the square-spotted blues are identified by the presence of a connected band of orange on the underside of the hind wing. The orange band on the dotted blues generally is disconnected.
The Pacific Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), shown above, has a disconnected orange band, along with the large, almost square spots on the fore wing. The identification is tentative.
The Square-spotted blue, picture two, shows a connected orange band, along with the large, almost square spots on the fore wing. It is possibly the Western Square-spotted blue or Western Square-dotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides). The identification also is tentative.
© 2009-2011 Patricia A. Michaels