Hermelycaena (Lycaena) hermes

We found this nice fresh male out at Wright's Field in Alpine, CA on a cold and cloudy day. This species has been petitioned for listing as endangered under the Endangered Species Act several times. So far USFWS has declined to list this species, which is exceedingly rare, and imperiled by development and wildfires throughout its very limited range. In the U.S. the species only occurs in parts of San Diego County, CA. This copper is strongly tied to its larval host plant Rhamnus crocea but does not occur wherever Rhamnus is found. It is really a very localized species and quite lovely. Certainly worth protecting from extinction.