(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
OTHER COMMON NAMES - BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION; BLUE and MISSION
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Terrestrial Insects
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ARTHROPODA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - INSECTA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - LEPIDOPTERA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - LYCAENIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ICARICIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - ICARIOIDES, MISSIONENSIS
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ICARICIA ICARIOIDES MISSIONENSIS
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Mission Blue Butterfly
Icaricia icarioides missionensis (Hovanitz, 1937)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Insect
PHYLUM: Arthropoda CLASS: Insecta
ORDER: Lepidoptera FAMILY: Lycaenidae
The taxon Icaricia (Plebejus) icarioides missionensis appears to
be a phenotypic intermediate between darkly marked "inland"
populations referred to as subspecies I. i. pardalis and populations
on the immediate coast which sport extremely pale ventral wing
surfaces called subspecies I. i. pheres. Because pardalis phenotypes
effectively surround the original distribution of I. i. pheres (now
extinct in San Francisco), the subspecies I. i. missionensis may well
be polyphylectic in origin, having arisen independently north and
south of the center of I. i. pheres distribution. Thus the present
"continuous" distribution of the Mission blue is an artifact of the
disappearance of I. i. pheres.
This taxon may be identified by comparison with illustrations of
Icaricia (Plebejus) icarioides missionensis on Plate 59 (Fig.1 and 2)
of "The butterflies of North America" (03). The black spotting of the
ventral aspect of the male is slightly more intense than average. The
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
following is the original description of the Mission blue butterfly
(02,04):
"Upper surface of wings: Male, blue with black border
and white fringes; anal angle and body clothed with white
hair. Female, identical with pheres [ground color largely
brownish-gray] except for the slightly greater restriction
of the blue towards the base of the wings; marginal row of
black or slightly blue spots at lower end of outer margin
of secondaries. Under side: Male and female almost
identical; ground color of darker shade than in pheres; two
rows of black spots on both primaries and secondaries, those
on primaries much the same as in pheres but outer row darker;
secondaries differing from pheres in having inner row of
spots round, black and encircled with white; outer row
smaller and not encircled with shite.
Missionensis differs from pheres in having black instead
of white spots on the under side secondaries, from pardalis
(Behr) in having smaller black spots and with blue suffusion
in the female, from icarioides (Bdv.) in having greater
hairiness of the average size, and from moroensis Sternitzky
in having larger black spots on the under side of secondaries.
No genetalic study has yet been made of these races.
Holotype male Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California
Elevation 700 ft. April 10, 1934. Collected by the author.
Placed in the collection of the Calif. Acad. Sci. Allotype
female (No. 4527, C.A.S. Ent.). Same locality, date and
disposition made."
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Mission blue butterfly is listed as Endangered pursuant to
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (50 CFR 17.11). The
species is presently known only from Marin, San Francisco and San
Mateo Counties, CA, but is protected wherever found.
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
(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.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act -
16 U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National
Park Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing
of Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
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:
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
STATE: California
DESIGNATED STATUS: None.
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.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
Although the species is not individually listed in the IUCN
Invertebrate Red Data Book (1983) it is included under the designated
San Bruno Mountain Threatened Community.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Mission blue butterfly is valued as a rare species by
butterfly enthusiasts.
75/03/20:40 FR 12691/ - 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
82/07/26:47 FR 32208/32209 - Notice of draft EA/EIR, for 10(a) permit
82/12/02:47 FR 54366/ - Receipt of application for 10(a) permit
83/03/10:48 FR 10136/10137 - Issuance of 10(a) permit (PRT2-9818)
85/09/01:50 FR 37059/ - Issuance of amendment to PRT2-9818
86/01/07:51 FR 00690/ - Issuance of amendment to PRT2-9818
86/01/21:51 FR 02767/ - Denial of amend. (#2) to take E/T species
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of Review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Residential
Industrial
Transportation, communications, and Util
Mixed Urban or Built-up Land
Mixed Rangeland
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Mission blue butterfly is largely restricted to grassland
areas in which any one of its 3 known host plants (lupine) grow.
Given in apparent order of oviposition preference by the butterfly,
these are Lupinus albifrons, L. variicolor and L. formosus. While the
host plants may be found in grassland environments varying widely in
slope, aspect, soil components and community structure, the primary
host clearly does best in moderately to highly disturbed habitats on
nutrient poor soils where competing ground cover is sparse. This
includes unstable areas that manifest slides, rocky outcrops with
highly weathered soils, and areas disturbed as a by-product of human
activities, such as roadcuts.
Like most herbivorous insects of California native grassland,
this species has likely been negatively affected by non-native annual
grassland species, which now dominate this community type. Aerial
photographs also clearly show that non-native brush species,
particularly gorse, have invaded and replaced substantial portions of
San Bruno Mountain grassland habitat in recent decades.
Chapparal is the primary vegetative community adjacent to the
grasslands. Mission blue butterflies are only infrequently observed
in chapparal in small open portions. However, some actions affecting
the chapparal could prove detrimental to the Mission blue, such as
spraying herbicides that might affect the butterfly's host plant. On
the other hand, actions resulting in conversion of chapparal to native
grassland could prove beneficial.
The Mission blue butterfly occurs in and around urban areas of
San Francisco, CA and Pacifica, CA. A large rock quarry is located on
San Bruno Mountain on the main ridge, and a sand quarry-landfill is on
the southwestern flank of the mountain. Expansion of the rock quarry
in 1978 usurped habitat for the Mission blue butterfly (06).
Butterflies fitting the description of Mission blue butterflies
are found in the San Francisco watershed (part of the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area) along the U.S. 280 corridor as far south as
Crystal Springs Reservoir.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
HERBIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Forb Leaves/Stems
General Forb Flowers/Fruit/Seed
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
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 Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G Human Association: Public residential parks
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The Mission blue butterfly oviposits on three known lupine host
plants: Lupinus albifrons, L. variicolor, and L. formosus. Eggs are
laid on green parts of the plants, particularly on young growth such
as flowers and leaf tips. Young larvae effectively skeletonize leaf
tissues until diapause. Diapausing larvae are, for the most part,
found in leaf litter at the base of the host plants.
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
This butterfly is not, by strict definition, territorial. Males
perch on elevated parts of host plants and surrounding vegetation,
from which they fly out and encounter passing objects, presumably
seeking receptive females. Females are rather habitat specific. Most
appear to live out their adult reproductive lifespans within the same
patches of host plants. However, although most adults freely move
within habitats, long distance movements are rarely recorded. (Due to
the necessity of distance movements, one might conclude that studies
to date have underestimated such movements.)
PERIODICITY:
The Mission blue butterfly is diurnally active and univoltine.
The great variety of microhabitats used by the butterfly, coupled with
widely varying rates of development to adulthood, lead to an extended
flight period beginning in late spring each year. On San Bruno
Mountain the entire flight period can last more than 12 weeks, from
early April on south facing slopes to late June on sheltered north
faces.
Butterflies emerging from pupae within circumscribed habitat
areas exhibit protandry of sorts (that is, on average males appear to
emerge slightly before females).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The Mission blue butterfly is non-migratory. Mark-recapture
studies indicate that most recorded movements are quite small - on the
order of dozens to a few hundred meters. Relatively long distance
movements, greater than a kilometer, have been documented, although
rarely (01,05).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Cover and shelter requirements of the Mission blue butterfly are
limited to the larval host plant (lupine) itself and the immediate
surrounding area. Eggs are laid on terminal plant parts, particularly
flowers and leaves on which larvae feed to diapause. They then
descend to diapause at the plant base among litter. Post-diapause
larval feeding and resting also occurs on the plant, while pupation
again takes place about the plant base.
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Reproductive site requirements are met on and about the larval
host plants (Lupinus species). Males fly about host plants and perch
on host plants and surrounding vegetation apparently seeking receptive
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
females for mating. Females require any of three larval host plant
species, Lupinus albifrons, L. variicolor, or L. formosus, on which
they lay eggs.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
All reproductive activities are carried out among patches of host
plants (Lupinus species). Males fly (patrol) about host plants or
perch on elevated host plant stalks or those of the surrounding
vegetation. They fly out to encounter passing objects, and so contact
receptive females. Females are mated probably less than 24 hours
after emergence and after a relatively brief courtship. Matings are
said to occur on the periphery of the mate location area from late
morning to late afternoon and last on the order of one to several
hours (01). Females lay eggs singly through the duration of their
lives at the rate of several dozen a day.
PARENTAL CARE:
Parental care is limited to the placement of eggs on plants by
females. Males play no parental role after courtship and copulation.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No evidence exists indicating that the Mission blue is food
limited, nor that density dependent mortality factors regulate
population size. Population size appears to vary locally less than an
order of magnitude from year to year in undisturbed habitats.
Mortality among early stages is high; females can lay up to several
hundred eggs. Sex ratio in mark-recapture studies is male-biased,
although not greatly so (01). In light of the more cryptic coloration
and behavior of females, which reduces their visibility, and hence,
their catchability, the sex ratio in nature is probably close to 1:1.
The larval host plants of the Mission blue are Lupinus species
which respond with increased density to local events which might be
described as catastrophic (e.g., fire, landslides, and environmental
phenomena that threaten many other biotic elements in its habitat).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The only unequivocal relationship between the Mission blue and
other species is that with their larval host plants. The butterfly
is only found where one or more of its three lupine host plants
(Lupinus albifrons, L. variicolor, and/or L. formosus) are found.
More mature larvae of the Mission blue butterfly appear to have a
facultative symbiotic relationship with ants (to which they probably
provide honeydew-like carbohydrate secretions, perhaps in "exchange"
for protection from predators).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
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
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 Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Vegetation Composition Changes
Existing Vegetation Composition Changes
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire
Adverse Fire
Existing Fire
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The Mission blue butterfly is a narrowly distributed taxon, and
probably was narrowly distributed historically. While some
populations and habitats have probably been extirpated by urban and
suburban growth in the upper San Francisco peninsula, the historic
distribution is probably largely intact.
Indeed, recent studies (03) have extended the known distribution
substantially to the south and southwest of the published
distribution - along the U.S. Highway 280 corridor nearly to Highway
92 and to within the city limits of Pacifica (all in San Mateo
County).
Threats are for the most part of two types. Most important is
the conversion of grassland habitats where the lupine larval host
plant of the Mission blue butterfly live. San Bruno Mountain is an
island of habitat encompassed by urbanization. Habitat loss has
resulted from roadway, utility, home, industrial, and commercial
construction, and agricultural development. A large rock quarry is
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
located on San Bruno Mountain on the main ridge, and a sand
quarry-landfill is on the southwestern flank of the mountain.
Expansion of the rock quarry in 1978 usurped habitat for the Mission
blue butterfly (06).
The other threat includes the invasion of Mission blue butterfly
habitat by brush species of native and, of more concern, alien origin
(notably gorse, Ulex europaeas). Fire suppression may be facilitating
some adverse changes for the Mission blue on San Bruno Mountain. The
Mission blue is considered to be primarily a grassland species. It's
host plants, Lupinus spp., appear to prefer areas that are irregularly
burned. Over time, fire supression on San Bruno Mountain has possibly
encouraged the invasion of chapparal vegetation into grassland
habitats, possibly causing a decline in the number of host plants
(07). In other localities the transition from native perennial bunch
grasses to introduced annuals is attibuted to grazing and to an
increased frequency of fires (06).
Both of these threats have been and will continue to be the foci
of attention in the key area of the Mission blue distribution on San
Bruno Mountain. There the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation
Plan has set aside substantial habitat areas and provides for the
reconversion of alien broom- and gorse-dominated brushland to
grassland.
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the San
Bruno Elfin and Mission Blue Butterflies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 81 pp.
The Recovery Plan for the Mission blue butterfly also includes
the San Bruno elfin butterfly. The primary objective of the recovery
plan is to protect, maintain, and enhance existing populations. The
Mission blue butterfly may be reclassified to Threatened when secure,
self-sustaining colonies are established or reestablished on two
identified sites and the San Bruno Mountain populations are secure.
Delisting is contingent upon protection, maintenance, and/or expansion
of current colonies and establishment of additional colonies.
In order to meet the above recovery criteria, the following
activities must be classified:
1. Protection of essential habitat from adverse development on and
outside of San Bruno Mountain through cooperative agreements,
easements, and other strategies;
2. Prevention of further habitat degradation from herbicides,
pesticides, other toxicants, and off-road vehicle use. Habitat
should be enhanced when possible by the removal of exotic plants
and transplanting native flora.
3. Development and implementation of management plans for existing
colonies of butterflies after gathering information on bionomics,
determining reclassification and habitat criteria necessary for
reclassifying and delisting, and evaluating management data for
long term planning for butterfly management at all locations;
4. Reestablishment of populations in restored or rehabilitated
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
Date 13 MAR 96
habitats within historic range. If recolonization does not occur
naturally, then butterflies from a nearby colony should be
reintroduced. If natural colonies are greatly depleted,
propagation of captive individuals will be necessary to obtain
stock for reintroduction.
5. Enforcement of laws and regulations to protect these butterflies
and their habitats; and
6. Development and implementation of an information and educational
program.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species BUTTERFLY, BLUE, MISSION
Species Id ESIS501011
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. Vol. 99.
02 Hovanitz, W. 1937. Concerning the Plebejus icarioides
rassenkreiss. Pan-Pac. Ent. 13:184-189.
03 Howe, W.H. 1975. The butterflies of North America. Doubleday,
New York.
04 Miller, L.D. and F.M. Brown. 1981. A catalogue/checklist of the
butterflies of America north of Mexico. Lepid. Soc. Mem. 2.
05 Murphy, D.D. 1985. Report on the status of Plebejus icariodes
missionensis in the Skyline College vicinity of San Mateo County,
California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract
# 11310-0133-5.
06 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for the San
Bruno Elfin and Mission Blue Butterflies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Portland, OR. 81 pp.
07 Murphy, D. January 1987. Personal communication. Department of
Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Murphy, D.D. 1985. Report on the status of Plebejus icariodes
missionensis in the Skyline College vicinity of San Mateo County,
California. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Contract
# 11310-0133-5.
References - 1