Species Hemiargus ceraunus - Ceraunus Blue

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Food · Internet References

Which Blue? - Hemiargus ceraunus - female

Ceraunus Blue - Hemiargus ceraunus - female

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies (excluding skippers))

Family Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)

Subfamily Polyommatinae (Blues)

Genus Hemiargus

Species ceraunus (Ceraunus Blue)

Size

Wingspan 20 - 30 mm

Identification

Two prominent black spots on leading edge of hindwing, below. One or more prominent large eyepots along the outer edge of hindwing (regional variations - southeastern ones seem to have one, southwestern ones, two).

Southeastern:

Southwestern:

Upperside blue (males) or brown with blue edge (females).

Female:

Male:

Range

Southeastern and southwestern states. Year-round in FL and TX, ranging northwards in warmer months.

Food

Larvae feed on woody legumes (pea family, Fabaceae).

Internet References

Butterflies and Moths of North America species description and map of confirmed county records.

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 14 March, 2004 - 2:32pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason
Last updated 27 August, 2006 - 10:40am

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