Melissa's Blue (Plebejus melissa)

aka Melissa Blue (NABA), Lycaeides

Crooked River near Prineville. Mating pair.

Conboy NWR, Klickitat County, Washington. June 7, 2023

Fandango Pass, Warner Mountains, Modoc County, California. June 25, 2021

Eight Dollar Road, Josephine County, Oregon. 6/16/22

Photo by John Villlella

Similar species. Northern and Anna's Blue also have orange bits on both forewing and hindwing but weaker. Also, they prefer cool highlands whereas Melissa's is found in hot, lowlands.