Wingspan: 3.2-4.1 cm.
Flight time: May through September.
Status: Southern stray or very rare breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: This species is unlike any other Iowa butterfly. The under forewing is brown-gray, with two medial bands of dark brown and white. The under hindwing is also brown-gray, with a distinct brown and white medial band that is formed into the shape of an upside-down 'M'. Large orange, iridescent blue, and black spots occur on the lower margin. The upper wing surfaces are dark iridescent blue with a wide brown-black margin.
Distribution and habitat: Extremely rare, with only six sites reported in the southern third of counties. Little is known of the habitats, other than they represent woodlands.
Natural History: Larvae consume oaks. While the May records suggest pupal diapause and resident populations, colonies do not appear to persist in the same locations from year to year. However, the apparent rarity of this species could be due to the fact that adults principally fly above the forest canopy, and only rarely stray to ground level. The Linn County record was nectaring on goldenrod.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
307705 | 2021-08-24 | Camp Dodge | Iowa | 41.70084 -93.714912 | Kathy Horn | 1 |
275170 | 2020-09-04 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.670911 -95.693287 | Jay Gilliam | 1 |
281468 | 2020-09-04 | Heron Bend Conservation Area | Iowa | 40.572222 -91.424444 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
281467 | 2020-08-30 | Waubonsie State Park | Iowa | 40.677029 -95.691183 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
203014 | 2017-05-07 | Stephens State Forest - Thousand Acre Unit, Monroe County | Iowa | 41.116847 -93.084813 | Chris Edwards | 2 |
208859 | 2017-04-23 | Westphal Timber, Jones | Iowa | 42.1349 -90.95348 | Anita Westphal | 2 |
258558 | 2017-04-23 | Westphal Timber, Jones | Iowa | 42.1349 -90.95348 | IBSN | 2 |
182069 | 2016-09-27 | Decatur County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Sibylla Brown | 1 |
180913 | 2016-09-11 | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center | Iowa | 42.048527 -91.67118 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
9316 | 2012-10-03 | Noelridge Park | Iowa | 42.0263889 -91.6577778 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
4642 | 2012-08-11 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.088613 -91.765848 | BAMONA | 1 |
9317 | 2012-08-11 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.0886111 -91.7658333 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
4645 | 2012-08-02 | Wapello County | Iowa | 40.975524 -92.335753 | BAMONA | 1 |
4643 | 2012-07-25 | Stephens State Forest - Chariton Unit | Iowa | 41.0815771 -93.113808 | BAMONA | 1 |
4644 | 2012-07-07 | Cedar Bluffs Natural Area / State Preserve | Iowa | 41.2566257 -92.824964 | Shane Patterson | 1 |
4646 | 2012-07-07 | Brinton Timbers Park | Iowa | 41.227087 -91.855101 | Shane Patterson | 1 |
108724 | 2010-09-20 | Heron Bend Conservation Area | Iowa | 40.5711 -91.4215 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
4641 | 2010-09-12 | Heron Bend Conservation Area | Iowa | 40.5716655 -91.421879 | BAMONA | 1 |
9310 | 2010-09-12 | Heron Bend Conservation Area | Iowa | 40.5716667 -91.4219444 | Tom Jantscher | 2 |
9311 | 2010-09-12 | Heron Bend Conservation Area | Iowa | 40.5713889 -91.4244444 | Tom Jantscher | 2 |
9314 | 2010-08-27 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.9655556 -91.5794444 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
9315 | 2010-08-27 | Indian Creek Nature Center | Iowa | 41.9669444 -91.5794444 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
108727 | 2007-09-21 | Shimek State Forest, Croton Unit East | Iowa | 40.54693 -91.61435 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
145625 | 2006-07-13 | I-80 rest area E of Victor | Iowa | 41.696201 -92.229592 | Kyle E. Johnson | 1 |
107528 | 2006-07-04 | Chain Lakes County Park | Iowa | 42.058665 -91.766786 | Mark Brown | 1 |
144008 | 2006-07-04 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.0876617 -91.767617 | Mark Brown | 1 |
124911 | 2006-04-22 | Lacey-Keosauqua State Park | Iowa | 40.71688 -91.9908 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
186096 | 2006-04-22 | Lacey-Keosauqua State Park | Iowa | 40.71688 -91.9908 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
108726 | 2000-08-31 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
144517 | 2000-08-31 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.026205 -91.726516 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
108728 | 1980-05-01 | White Pine Hollow State Preserve | Iowa | 42.62803 -91.09843 | Mike Overton | 1 |
4638 | 1950-05-01 | Sidney | Iowa | 40.74004 -95.645798 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4639 | 1950-05-01 | Jasper County | Iowa | 41.641491 -93.01757 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4640 | 1950-05-01 | Johnson County | Iowa | 41.669899 -91.598396 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |