Xerces blue (SciiFii)

The Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces) is a species of butterfly in the gossamer-winged butterfly family, Lycaenidae. The species lives in coastal sand dunes of the Sunset District of San Francisco Peninsula. The Xerces blue was once extinct since either 1941 or 1943 as a result of loss of habitat caused by urban development, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced back to its former range to help boost biodiversity. The Xerces blue is characterized by blue wings with white spots. The Xerces blue butterflies feed only on vegetation belonging to the genus Lotus and Lupinus. The conservation status of the Xerces blue is Near Threatened due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Xerces blue butterflies are a protected species, their habitats are also protected, and have made a comeback as a result of successful conservation efforts.