female acmon blue on California buckwheat
posted 06/11/14 - I may find out I have all my acmon/lupini mixed up, not to mention the var. of CA buckwheat. The other possible option I'm considering for this "looser & lighter" buckwheat is CA buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum). Paul keeps telling me it doesn't matter to var., but I'm not sure if I agree, yet. I want to find out for myself.
I haven't read the following anywhere; I'm totally making it up, btw. If I were a hungry miniscule caterpillar, I think I'd prefer to munch on something that doesn't have as much hair, but all the fuzz could also provide protection for the caterpillar, too. I will keep the differences in mind until I get more familiar with Pinnacles. The CA buckwheat bloom times appear to vary in batches by several weeks depending on location, which, to me, would obviously select for the butterfly that happens to be active at the time. When the butterfly's entire adult life is restricted to a couple weeks, max, until its wings get too beat up and if it survives predation, it's important to time eclosion with the correct stage of the host plant. Remember that temporal distance bit I mentioned here and here?
I've exchanged information with 5 experts, and they all say something different. Relative differences between acmon/lupini seems to be based on location. I suspect many online ID sites have incorrectly labeled photos, including mine! I'm guessing this is female due to its abdominal bulge in another photo that's not posted, but then again the tip is a bit pointy. Ugh, I have such a hard time sexing butterflies. I'm not the only one, because I think reputable BOA got the male and female lupines switched from this series of P. lupini monticola plates. I sent a query about it, but I haven't heard back and don't think I will at this point (hence this way backdated post). Then, I'm guessing it's acmon based on its female's brown topside ground color. In lupini, I tend to see a dark grey ground color, at least in living photos. Pinned specimens are too faded to really tell. The other closest ssp. that's been suggested is P. lupini chlorina, but most likely what's at Pinnacles and surrounding areas will be described as its own ssp. Hence why relative differences based on location becomes important.
