(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO;BLUE and EL SEGUNDO
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Terrestrial Insects
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ARTHROPODA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - INSECTA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - LEPIDOPTERA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - LYCAENIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - EUPHILOTES,
SPECIES AND SSP - BATTOIDES, ALLYNI
SCIENTIFIC NAME - EUPHILOTES BATTOIDES ALLYNI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
El Segundo Blue Butterfly
Euphilotes battoides allyni (Shields, 1975)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Insect
PHYLUM: Arthropoda CLASS: Insecta
ORDER: Lepidoptera FAMILY: Lycaenidae
The following is the original description of the El Segundo blue
butterfly, a small blue lycaenid butterfly. The species may be easily
identified by comparing specimens from the two extant locations to
illustrations of "Philotes battoides" on Plate 61 of citation (02).
Male: Holotype forewing, 10 mm. UPPER SURFACE, Primaries: light
blue with slight violet tinge; marginal band wide, 1 mm, scalloped
appearance (black part way along outer veins); fringes white to dark;
broad fuscous checkered at vein ends. Secondaries: marginal band
variable, often broken into distinct interneural spots; fringes white
with little or no checkering at vein tips; aurora often prominantly
light orange at CU1 and CU2 cells, faint in some; wing margin
frequently concave at CU1 and CU2. UNDER SURFACE, Primaries: ground
whitish cream; bold terminal line; macules heavily marked and square;
praeterminal mark at R4 faint or absent. Secondaries: terminal line
as primaries; aurora orange-brown, in continuous band, usually 1 mm
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
broad; macules bold with haloes; ground color cream, becoming
suffused-black basally.
Female: Allotype forewing, 10 mm. UPPER SURFACE, Primaries:
ground dark brown; fringes as males; discoidal macule faint or
distinct. Secondaries: aurora usually broad band from M1 to 2A,
solid to terminal line; wing margin concave at CU1 and CU2. UNDER
SURFACE, Primaries: as in males. Aurora faint along semimacule band
or lacking. Secondaries: as in males.
Holotype Males: California, Los Angeles Co., El Segundo,
VII-9-65 (R.E. Stanford).
Allotype Male: Same as above.
Paratypes: Same location, 5 males, 6 females. Also, El Segundo,
VII-30-72 (J.F. Emmel), 38 males, 31 females.
Disposition of type material: Holotype and allotype (AM),
paratypes (KH, LACM) (04).
Shields originally described this subspecies in the genus
Shijimiaeoides. The common name is sometimes referred to simply as
El Segundo blue.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The El Segundo blue butterfly (Euphilotes battoides allyni) is
listed as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as
amended. Listing is rangewide. The species is only known from Los
Angeles Co., CA. Critical Habitat has not been designated.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
The El Segundo blue butterfly is not protected under California
law. However, the California Environmental Quality Control Act (CEQA)
(PRC 2100 et seq.) recognizes Federally listed Threatened and
Endangered species as among those species requiring environmental
impact assessments be made for actions that may detrimentally affect
them. See: Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA, CA Admin. Code,
Ch. 3, Sec. 15380.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The El Segundo blue butterfly is listed in the IUCN Red Data Book
(1983) as part of the "Threatened Community" of the El Segundo Sand
Dunes.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
75/03/20:40 FR 01269/ - Notice of review
75/10/14:40 FR 48139/48140 - Proposed rule, listing as Endangered
76/06/01:41 FR 22041/22044 - Final rule, listed as Endangered
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Five year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of Review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Residential
Commercial and Services
Industrial
Transportation, communications, and Util
Sandy Areas other than Beaches
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The El Segundo blue butterfly is limited to dune areas directly
adjacent to beach fronts in "coastal sage" habitats. The butterfly
has an exclusive host relationship with Eriogonum parvifolium, the
inflorescences of which are used both as a larval food source and
adult nectar sources.
The habitat requirements for Eriogonum parvifolium include
shifting, wind blown (aeolian) sand dunes - circumstances compromised
in the two small remaining known habitats of this butterfly.
Furthermore, plants with the greatest biomass supporting the highest
number of larvae and adult butterflies are found in swales and on wind
protected dune crests, which indicates that the still undetermined
slope and aspect requirements are among key environmental parameters
for the butterfly.
Residential, commercial, and industrial areas and the Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX) are the major land uses adjacent to this
butterfly's habitat. The LAX habitat is bordered by Pershing Drive,
Imperial Highway, Kilgore Street, and Trask Avenue and is fenced. The
Chevron site is bordered by Main Street near El Segundo Blvd. at the
Chevron U.S.A. oil refinery and is surrounded by a fence.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
HERBIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Evergreen Shrubs-Flowers/Fruit/Seed
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G
G Availability of fence rows: roadside ditches and grassy
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The El Segundo blue butterfly has an exclusive larval food plant
association with Eriogonum parvifolium. The same plant species also
functions as the preferred nectar source for the butterfly. Eggs are
laid on Eriogonum inflorescences. Larvae feed on the inflorescences
until just prior to pupation, at which point they drop to the plant
base to pupate among soil and detritus (01).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
While this butterfly is not territorial per se, it is so
sedentary that individual adult butterflies are often encountered on
or about the same individual host plant hours, or even days, in
succession. The rather pugnacious behavior associated with
"encounter" flights from exposed perches by other Lycaenid genera is
not as developed in this species.
PERIODICITY:
Adult butterflies are active during an extended period from late
July to as late as early September. Individual adults only survive
for several days. Adult males tend to emerge slightly earlier than
females, however, the lengthy flight period reduces the appearance of
protandry.
Both sexes are diurnally active as adults. Matings have been
observed during virtually all warmer hours during the day from late
morning through afternoon.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The El Segundo blue butterfly is non-migratory. Dispersal is
exceedingly restricted; adult individuals apparently disperse as few
as several dozen meters during their entire lifetimes. Movements are
largely restricted to the immediate vicinity of host plants (01).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Eggs are placed directly on inflorescences of Eriogonum
parvifolium; larvae feed within inflorescences of that plant species;
pupation occurs within dropped leaves and other debris below the
plant; and adults overnight among branches. Therefore, to the extent
that this species has "shelter" requirements, they are met by healthy
plants in comparatively protected situations, where exposure to wind
is limited.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
As with virtually all activities of the El Segundo blue
butterfly, mate location and breeding occurs on or very close to
Eriogonum parvifolium, the larval host plant and adult nectar source.
To the extent that males "display" for females, such activity also
largely occurs directly on exposed areas of the host plant. Eggs are
placed by fertile, mated females on inflorescences of the plant.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Females, at least, are sexually receptive soon after emergence
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
from the pupa. Males may have to mature sperm for some period after
emergence. Oviposition begins soon after mating. Several dozen eggs
are deposited each day throughout the adult female lifetime (although
that rate may taper off late in the oviposition period with reduced
availability of fat body and associated nutrient reserves).
Only one brood per year occurs. Male parental care is
nonexistent, with the duration of pairing limited to the encounter, a
brief "courtship", and copulation itself; the total process taking no
longer than 1 to 3 hours. Oviposition commences from several hours to
just less than a day after mating.
PARENTAL CARE:
None.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
The estimated sizes of the two known populations of the El
Segundo blue have ranged from 100-1000 individuals in recent years
(01). The sex ratio at peak flight approaches 1.0 (equal numbers of
males and females). Availability of Eriogonum parvifolium, the larval
host plant and adult nectar source of the butterfly, is almost
certainly a limiting factor in the two extant habitats. The
restricted geographic distribution of the species limits recovery
potential, although a habitat conservancy has been proposed for one
site that promises to reclaim substantial habitat lost to non-native
plant species. This same restricted distribution, coupled with the
coastal location and proximity of urban development, places the
species at obvious risk of elimination due to natural or human-induced
catastrophe (e.g. severe weather, fire, etc.). A major factor
controlling population size appears to be competition with other
species of Lepidoptera, which shift to Eriogonum parvifolium as
Eriogonum fasciculatum (native to California, but introduced to this
site) dries during the El Segundo blue flight period.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The El Segundo blue depends on a single plant species, Eriogonum
parvifolium, as its larval host plant, major nectar source, and
perching site utilized in mate locating behavior by males. Although
alternate Eriogonum species are available at this site as larval host
plants, including at least one, Eriogonum fasciculatum, which is used
by other subspecies of E. battoides, none are used by the El Segundo
blue in remaining habitat. The persistence of Eriogonum parvifolium,
therefore, is essential to the continued existence of the El Segundo
blue butterfly.
Mature larvae are associated with ants of several species,
however, the success of laboratory rearing in the absence of ants
suggests a facultative relationship.
This species, similar to most Lepidoptera, is subject to attack
by a variety of predators and parasitoids. However, no exclusive
relationship of that sort is known.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Pesticide Use
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Herbicide Use
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Adverse Food Supply Reduction
Existing Food Supply Reduction
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
As much as 200 square kilometers of potentially suitable habitat
for the El Segundo Blue existed several decades ago. This has been
reduced through urbanization, industrialization, highway construction,
sand mining, and planting of ground covers to stabilize the aeolian
sands resulting in only two remaining habitat patches, a 92 acre
parcel at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and a tiny 2 acre
reserve controlled by Chevron Oil. Urbanization and invasion of
remaining habitat remnants by non-native plant species (particularly
ice plant, Mesembryanthemum sp.) continues to threaten the species and
its habitat. More than 800 homes formerly located on about the
northern 264 acres of the LAX site were razed in the 1960's and 1970's
for airport expansion. Approximately 12 acres south of Kilgore Street
were mined for sand at some undetermined time. Grading and other
construction activities associated with realignment of Pershing Drive
in the 1970's, altered a narrow corridor (150 m wide) along the
eastern boundary of the dunes. This was later stabilized by iceplant
and buckwheat (Eriogonum cinereum Benth.). Other small portions of
the dunes have been altered by construction of airport radar
navigation and tracking equipment (04). The host plant (food supply)
of the butterfly, Eriogonum parvifolium, appears to be adapted to
extensive shifting sand dunes, a circumstance disrupted by the small
size of the habitat fragments remaining. Availability of this food
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
plant is a limiting factor.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and LAX are pursuing an
agreement to fund and implement habitat enhancement actions on
selected areas of the habitat remaining at the airport. Such actions
will be allied to the Recovery Plan and will address factors such as
the invasion of exotic species, restoration of host plants, continued
research, public access, and more.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for the El
Segundo Blue Butterfly Euphilotes battoides allyni. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 87 pp.
The Recovery Plan recommends the following for the preservation
and enhancement of El Segundo blue butterfly populations:
1) Manage the habitat at the Los Angeles International Airport by
removing exotic habitat, implementing erosion control, replanting
butterfly host plants, monitoring/controlling use and human access to
habitat lands, developing and implementing a management plan,
conducting annual censuses, and maintaining genetic variability.
2) Establish and protect habitat at the Los Angeles International
Airport in the Dune Preserve Area, the potential golf course habitat
area, the runway approach light area, and other potential habitat
areas. Determine suitability of these sites for reintroduction by
conducting soil tests and surveys for other rare organisms. Prepare
and implement a management plan which will include: removal of
exotic vegetation (e.g., iceplant), man-made structures, and debris;
reconstruction of the soil profile as necessary; propagation and
planting of other dune species; transplantation of host plants and
other dune flora; introduction of El Segundo blue butterflies and
other rare organisms from captive and/or wild populations; and
implementation of other management plan provisions. Additional
colonies in at least 3 other locations is recommended.
3) Determine the species life history and ecology to facilitate
management and recovery. Assess losses from predation, parasitism,
disease, and monitor and control pollution (including petroleum
products, herbicides, and insecticides). Determine propagation
requirements, population genetics, and populations and habitat
necessary, and incorporate this information into management and
recovery plans.
The Chevron site has been fenced and set aside as a butterfly
preserve. Chevron and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have begun
an Eriogonum parvifolium (food plant) culture and transplant program
and a program to remove exotic vegetation. An agreement among the
FWS, California Dept. of Fish and Game, and Los Angeles Dept. of
Airports has been developed for the protection, management, and
expansion of habitat at Los Angeles International Airport.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, EL SEGUNDO
Species Id ESIS501009
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Arnold, R.A. 1983. Ecological studies of six Endangered
butterflies (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae): Island biogeography, patch
dynamics, and the design of habitat preserves. Univ. Calif. Pub.
Entomol. 99:1-161.
02 Howe, W.H. 1975. The butterflies of North America. Doubleday,
New York. 633 pp.
03 Shields, O. 1975. Studies on North American Philotes (Lycaemidae)
IV. Taxonomic and biological notes, and new subspecies. Bull.
Allyn. Mus. 28:1-36.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery Plan for the El
Segundo Blue Butterfly, Euphilotes battoides allyni. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Portland, OR. 87 pp.
02 Donahue, J.P. 1975. Unpublished report. A report on 24 species
of California butterflies being considered for placement on the
Federal list of Endangered or Threatened species. Submitted to
California Dept. Food and Agriculture. 58 pp.
References - 1