Species Cyclargus thomasi - Miami Blue - Hodges#4358

4358

Average wingspan is 24mm

Dorsal, males are light blue with a thin black border, and usually with 2 plain black spots on the trailing HW edge. Females are blue, with a thick black border, and a black spot that's orange capped on the trailing HW edge.

Ventral, 2 black HW eyespots on the outer edge, one with an orange cap, a wide white postmedian band, and 4 dark postbasal spots.

Only known US colony is Bahia Honda SP in the Keys. Also in the WI and Cuba.

Edges of hammocks, thorny scrub, or dry pinewoods.

3 broods, most common from March-May then from September-October.

Gray Nicker (Caesalpinia bonduc), caterpillars eat the flower parts. Adults nectar on assorted flowers.

The Miami Blue is now both state and federally listed as endangered. They have been declining rapidly. Their range had once been as far north coastally,as St. Petersburg, and Daytona. Now they are only known from one location in the keys. The University of Florida has been doing a captive breeding program, with hopes of future controlled releases.

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Butterfly Conservation Initiative