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| Ceraunus Blue |
Latin
Name: Hemiargus ceraunus |
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Genus: Hemiargus Species: ceraunus |
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Comments: |
| The Ceraunus Blue is one of the most commonly encountered blues in Florida. It scurries erratically among low-growing vegetation and may be easily overlooked. Adults often rest with their wings partially open, providing a good view of their attractive dorsal coloration. Both sexes actively visit flowers. Males periodically congregate at damp ground. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
greenish blue, laid singly on flower buds of host |
Larva: |
highly variable; green with a red lateral stripe to highly patterned pinkish red |
Host Plants: |
numerous Fabaceous plants including Hairy Indigo, Creeping Indigo, Partridge Pea and milk peas |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
numerous Fabaceous plants including Hairy Indigo, Creeping Indigo, Partridge Pea and milk peas |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
open, disturbed sites including roadsides, vacant fields, utility easements and fallow agricultural land |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
.75 - 1 |
Centimeters: |
1.9 - 2.5 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
dissimilar; female is brown with blue scaling at wing bases |
Compare: |
Cassius Blue is generally larger, and is chalky white beneath with numerous dark bands. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- male is bright lavender blue with a narrow black border and white wing fringe; single black dot along hindwing margin
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Below:
- light gray with numerous dark markings and spots; hindwing has a prominent orange-rimmed black spot with metallic blue scaling
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Abundance: |
occasional to common |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
