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Zebra blue

Zebra blue

Tarucus plinius

A species of Blue pierrots

Adorned with a vibrant palette of blues juxtaposed against stark white and black, zebra blue showcases a striking contrast that serves as a visual spectacle in its arid habitats. Notably skilled in the art of basking, it absorbs warmth with wings strategically angled towards the sun. As an avid consumer of flower nectar, its presence is a testament to the intricacies of pollination, inadvertently contributing to the proliferation of floral landscapes.

General Info About Zebra blue
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Attributes of Zebra blue
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Gray
White
Blue
Habitat
Grassy area; dry area; evergreen forest; forest edge
Adult Food Sources
Lantana flowers, ixora flowers, jasmine flowers, acacia flowers, tridax flowers
Larva Food Source
Ziziphus species, maerua species, capparis sepiaria, capparis cartilaginea, capparis zeylanica
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Pollinator
The Zebra blue is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Life Cycle of Zebra blue
Egg The zebra blue's life begins as an egg, which is often round or oval-shaped and may vary in color. These eggs are typically laid on host plants and are small and inconspicuous.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of zebra blue emerges, featuring a worm-like body that's specialized for eating. Its primary function is to consume and grow, undergoing several molts. The color and pattern serve as camouflage.
Pupal After reaching a sufficient size, zebra blue enters the pupal stage, forming a chrysalis. During this time, zebra blue undergoes a remarkable transformation, reshaping its body and organs. The chrysalis may exhibit cryptic coloration.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult zebra blue displays vibrant colors and patterns on its wings, which serve for flight and mate attraction. It now has fully developed reproductive organs and focuses on mating and laying eggs.
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Predators of Zebra blue Larvae
Ants, wasps, birds, rodents
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Predators of Adult Zebra blue
Birds, spiders, praying mantises
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Interesting Facts About Zebra blue
The larvae of zebra blue practice mutualism, secreting a sweet substance to lure ants for protection against predators.
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Scientific Classification of Zebra blue
Tips for Finding Zebra blue
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Youth Habitat of Zebra blue
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Savannas
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Adult Habitat of Zebra blue
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Savannas, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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How Can You Attract Zebra blue
For adult zebra blue, a mixture of sweet substances such as overripe fruits or fermented sugary solutions can be used to attract them.
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Habitat Preferences of Zebra blue Through Different Life Stages
Eggs of zebra blue are typically laid on the underside of host plant leaves in scrub habitats or semi-arid regions. Caterpillars can be found on or near their specific host plants, usually acacias in Africa or Prosopis in Asia, where they feed and grow. Pupae will often be on the host plant or within nearby detritus for camouflage. Adults primarily inhabit open and sunny areas with low vegetation, but they may also be found in gardens and edges of forests. To find these insects, one would search the leaves of host plants for eggs, look among foliage and twigs for caterpillars, check for pupae within fallen leaves or soil detritus, and scan sunlit open areas for fluttering adults.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Zebra blue
The best time to find zebra blue is during warm sunny days when they are most active, typically late morning to mid-afternoon.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Zebra blue
Zebra blue are more likely to be spotted in dry weather, as rainy conditions can inhibit their activity and flight.
Are Zebra blue harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Zebra blue
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
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, Smell
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Zebra blue is known for its mutualism with flowers, particularly with Asteraceae. Attracted by vivid colors and enticing smells, zebra blue consumes pollen themselves. During the feeding process, pollen sticks to their body, facilitating cross-pollination as they travel from bloom to bloom.
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The endangered Mission blue has a wingspan around 21–33 millimetres (0.83–1.3 in). Larvae are extremely small and rarely seen. The males' top wing grades from ice blue in the center to deep sky blue (misregistered as turquoise/cyan to violet by most photographic equipment, the wing color carries no hint of green or purple, strictly capturing an enthralling spectrum of purest, clearest, richest, brightest blue) exhibiting a dazzling iridescent fluctuation in range under direct, full sunlight. Black margins on the upper wing sport "long, white, hair-like scales". A constellation of jet-black dots (misregistered as dull gray by most photographic equipment) frames the extremities of the ventral surface, its pattern adroitly complimenting the wing shape thrown into spectacular relief against the shimmering silvery pearlescent background, with a fascinatingly muted hint of dark ice blue bleeding faintly up from the body and permeating the veins throughout for the palest, most delicate of emphases. Body shape, eyes, antennae, and appendages possess it of a uniquely exquisite poise. The males' bodies are dark-blue/brown. Females' upper wings are dark brown, but otherwise mirror males'. The larvae only feed on the leaves of the three host lupine plants (Lupinus albifrons, Lupinus formosus, and Lupinus variicolor) native to their habitat. The plants are necessary for survival for the Mission blue. Thus, the butterfly's fate is closely tied to that of the three species of lupines as the plants provide food and shelter for the butterfly in its larval stage. The adult Mission blue drinks the nectar of a variety of flowers, many in the sunflower family, using its long proboscis which extends from the underside of its head.

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