Click here to see an image of the XERCES BLUE

The beautiful Xerces Blue butterfly, which once populated the coastal regions of California, is no longer visable along the sand dunes of the san fransciso bay. Urban development of the small butterflies natural habitat of sand dunes and moist low lying areas, led to it's extinction. The females often laid their eggs on moist plants and the climate of the san fransico bay was all that could sustain these delicate insects. The males of this species can be identified by thier brillant blue violet color, while the females are brown. Scientists who study butterflies are especially intrigued by this species because within the species there is a variety of wing patterns. Although it is unclear what specifically led to the extinction of the butterfly, which was last seen in 1941, it is unfortunate that urban development has prevented scientists from studying further these fanscinating insects.

Sources:
www.xerces.org
www.lindagfisher.com
www.fmnh.org