Identification: Extremely variable geographically. Upperside of female brown often with orange band on outer edge of hindwing. Male blue with dark borders. Male may have orange band on outer edge of hindwing. Underside is off-white to gray with black postmedian spots ranging from square to round and from large to small, again depending on subspecies. Best identified by associated host, locality, and season. Life history: Males patrol all day near host plants to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on host plant flowers; caterpillars eat flowers and fruits, and are protected by ants. Chrysalids hibernate in sand or leaf litter. Flight: One flight; Mid-April to August depending on location and host bloom. Caterpillar hosts: Various wild buckwheats (Eriogonum species) including coastal buckwheat and sulphur-flower. Adult food: Flower nectar especially that from Eriogonum species. Habitat: Varies by subspecies; includes, prairie, open woodlands, chaparral, dunes, and alpine rock gardens.
Range: Spotty distribution from Washington south to Baja California Norte, thence west to southern Colorado and New Mexico.
Conservation: Most populations are probably secure, but invasive alien weeds such as cheatgrass may threaten an unknown proportion. The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: Maintain habitat together with host plants of all known populations.*