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Common blue butterfly

Common blue butterfly

Polyommatus icarus

A species of Polyommatus, Also known as Common Blue

Despite its common name, only male specimens of common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) can accurately be described as blue; the females are predominately gray-brown, with only a dusting of blue and a scattering of orange spots. The adults live for only three weeks before dying.

General Info About Common blue butterfly
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Attributes of Common blue butterfly
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
White
Blue
Habitat
meadow; coastal dune; woodland clearing; man-made habitat; food plant
Adult Food Sources
Thistles, knapweeds, daisies, oregano, marjoram
Larva Food Source
Leguminous plants, fabaceae family species like clover, bird's foot trefoil, black medick, common restharrow
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Common blue butterfly is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Species Status of Common blue butterfly
It is found throughout the Palearctic. Its distribution trend shows a 15% decline since the 1970s.
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Distribution Area of Common blue butterfly
Europe, North Africa, the Canary Islands, east across the Palearctic to Northern China, Canada
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Appearance of Common blue butterfly
Common blue butterfly males usually have wings that are blue above with a black-brown border and a white fringe. The females are usually brown above with a blue dusting and orange spots. Polyommatus icarus has a wingspan of 2.5 - 3.5 cm. The ventral side has a greyish or dust-grey base colour in the males and a more brownish hue in the females. The caterpillar is small, pale green with yellow stripes and, as usual with lycid larvae, rather slug-like. The eggs are white and shaped like flattened spheres. The segments of the larvae are large and rounded, and the following segments are smaller. The body is a light green, and is whitish in light.
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How to Identify Common blue butterfly?

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Life Cycle of Common blue butterfly
Egg The common blue butterfly begins life as an egg, laid typically on plants. Eggs are minute and vary in color, often mimicking the environment to elude predators.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva, or caterpillar, emerges. It is elongated, with distinct banding or markings, and its primary function is to feed voraciously on host plants.
Pupal After the larval stage, common blue butterfly enters a pupal phase. Enclosed in a chrysalis, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, reshaping its body structure entirely.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult common blue butterfly's development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Common blue butterfly
2.5 - 3.5 cm
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Interesting Facts About Common blue butterfly
Despite their delicate appearances, common blue butterfly can travel up to 12 kilometers in a single day, embodying a surprising resilience and wanderlust.
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Scientific Classification of Common blue butterfly
Tips for Finding Common blue butterfly
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Youth Habitat of Common blue butterfly
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Common blue butterfly
Grasslands and Prairies, Forests and Woodlands, Meadows, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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How Can You Attract Common blue butterfly
Since adult common blue butterfly feed on nectar, sweet substances such as rotting fruit or artificial nectar can be used to attract them.
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Habitat Preferences of Common blue butterfly Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of common blue butterfly are often laid on the buds or flowers of leguminous plants, so searching in clover or alfalfa fields may yield results. As larvae, they feed on these host plants, so look for them on the undersides of leaves or hidden within the foliage. The well-camouflaged chrysalides of common blue butterfly might be found attached to plant stems or leaves, possibly near the ground among litter. Adult common blue butterfly are commonly seen flitting about in open grassy areas, such as meadows, parks, or garden spaces with abundant flowering plants, which they visit for nectar.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Common blue butterfly
The best time to find adult common blue butterfly is on sunny days, as they are most active when temperatures are warm. Look for the other stages during daylight hours as well, but with more emphasis on proper habitat rather than temperature.
Are Common blue butterfly harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Common blue butterfly
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color
Common blue butterfly assists in pollination primarily through nectar and pollen foraging activities. As they move from flower to flower collecting food, their bodies inadvertently pick up and transport pollen, facilitating the reproductive cycle of plants.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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