These tiny butterflies, perhaps the second smallest in the world, show an amazing pattern, when you stop to look at them closely. An overall rich brown with white lines and circles and "jewels" along the trailing edge of the hindwing.

These butterflies, whose caterpillars feed on glassworts (Salicornia spp.) like the one in the photo at left, are found only along the immediate coast where their host plant grows, from central SC to eastern Texas.

Compare with even smaller Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exile), which replaces it further southwest.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

No Name Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/27/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/27/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/26/2010.

Big Pine Key, Monroe Co., FL 6/27/2010.