The Fender’s blue butterfly has fluttered away from the brink of extinction. The species, once so rare it was thought to be extinct, is no longer considered endangered, according to a January 11 ...

It’s been roughly 80 years since the Xerces blue butterfly was last spotted flitting about on pastel wings across coastal California sand dunes. But scientists are still learning about the insect.

With shades ranging from azure to cyan depending on which way the light hits it, the Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces) is a beautiful butterfly. The tips of its wings, covered in soft down, are ...