Male blue with narrow black outer margin, no orange band.. Upperside of female brown with orange submarginal band on hindwing. Underside off-white with distinct black spots and an orange band on hindwing.
Wing Span: 11/16 - 13/16 inches (1.7 - 2.1 cm).
Males patrol all day near host plants to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on host plant flowers; caterpillars eat flowers and fruits, and are protected by ants. Chrysalids hibernate in sand or leaf litter. One flight; February to late August , timing depends of location and host.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various wild buckwheats (Eriogonum species)