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| Miami Blue |
Latin
Name: Hemiargus thomasi |
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Genus: Hemiargus Species: thomasi |
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Comments: |
| The Miami Blue is endemic to Florida. Primarily a coastal species, once abundant and widespread throughout the southern portion of the state, the species' overall distribution and numerical abundance has been significantly reduced over the last few decades. Ever-expanding urbanization and the associated loss of coastal habitat have all but eliminated the Miami Blue from the south Florida mainland. In recent years, this alarming trend of decline has continued in the Keys. Now, the butterfly only occurs in small, isolated colony sites. It is currently listed as endangered by the state of Florida. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
whitish, laid singly on flower buds, new growth and developing seed pods of host |
Larva: |
variable; green to maroon with dark head and light lateral stripe |
Host Plants: |
Balloon Vine and nickerbean |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Balloon Vine and nickerbean |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
tropical hardwood hammock margins, scrub and pine rocklands and adjacent open areas |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
.75 - 1 |
Centimeters: |
1.9 - 2.5 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar, although female has reduced blue scaling above and orange hindwing spot |
Compare: |
Ceraunus Blue is smaller, with incomplete white postmedian band on ventral hindwing. Cassius Blue is white beneath with prominent dark bands. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- male is bright blue with narrow black wing border and white fringe; hindwing has single, small black dot along margin; female is bright blue with broad dark borders; distinct orange-capped black spot on hindwing
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Below:
- gray with wide white postmedian band; hindwing has four black basal spots and orange-capped black spot
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Abundance: |
rare; very localized; endangered |
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
