10-12-2020

Sexually dimorphic. Uppersurface of males fiery red-orange with narrow black border and unchecked white fringe, female brown to dull orange-brown with black spots and dull orange marginal zigzag, narrow black border and unchecked white fringe. Undersurface of both sexes gray-white or pale tan-white with orange flush on forewing disk, hindwing with only tiny black spots if any, lacking orange zigzag of uppersurface.  Females lay eggs singly at or near base of larval host plant on twig, dead leaf, wood chip, dirt, in litter; eggs overwinter (Scott 1979, 1986, 1992; James and Nunnallee 2011). Eggs hatch in captivity 4-6 days after exposed to late-spring temperatures, develop from egg-hatch to pupation in 19-22 days (depending on temperature), nearly half that time as L4 instar, pupate on host plant or inert surface, adults eclose (emerge from pupae) in 10-17 days. Larvae solitary, build no nest, retreat to base of host plant to hide, feed on host plant leaves (James and Nunnallee 2011). Eggs associated with ants (Formica altipetens) in Arizona, possibly overwinter in ant nest (Funk 1975), larvae tended by ants (F. pilicornis) in captivity in California (Ballmer and Pratt 1991). Males territorial, perch conspicuously throughout the day on vegetation < 1 m tall in dry gullys, along streams, dirt trails, meadows to wait for passing females (Scott 1975b, 1986; Warren 2005; James and Nunnallee 2011).  From: http://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IILEPC1080