Cyclargus

Nabokov, 1945

Species Guides

Cyclargus ammon(Nickerbean Blue)
Cyclargus thomasi(Miami blue)

A of lycaenid butterflies established by Vladimir Nabokov in 1945, split from the genus Hemiargus. The genus contains several distributed across the Caribbean and southern Florida, including the critically endangered Miami blue (C. thomasi bethunebakeri). Taxonomic validity remains debated among lepidopterists.

Cyclargus thomasi by (c) Arthur Windsor, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Cyclargus ammon (Lucas, 1857). Nickerbean Blue - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Cyclargus ammon 294A8468 Siboney Stgo Cuba by Christian Pirkl. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cyclargus: /sɪ.klɑr.ɡʊs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the closely related Hemiargus by genitalic and wing pattern characteristics used by Nabokov in his 1945 revision. The genus-level separation is not universally accepted, and some lepidopterists continue to treat these as part of Hemiargus.

Images

Habitat

Coastal and island environments in the Caribbean region. The Miami blue (C. thomasi bethunebakeri) inhabits coastal scrub and beachside vegetation in the Florida Keys, particularly in the Key West National Wildlife and reintroduction sites at Bahia Honda State Park.

Distribution

Caribbean islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. In the United States, restricted to coastal southern Florida, primarily the Florida Keys.

Behavior

Caterpillars of at least one (C. thomasi bethunebakeri) engage in myrmecophily, a mutualistic relationship with ants. Larvae possess a organ that secretes a sugary substance rich in and nutrients, which attracts tending. Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) and at least 16 other ant species have been observed tending Miami blue caterpillars. Ants provide protection against , with later instar larvae receiving more intensive tending than early instars. Ant-tended female larvae develop into larger pupae and produce more as .

Ecological Role

As a mutualist with ants, caterpillars contribute to nutrition through secretions while receiving protection services. The represents part of the lycaenid diversity in Caribbean island .

Human Relevance

The Miami blue (C. thomasi bethunebakeri) has been federally listed as endangered since 2012 and is critically endangered. Conservation efforts include captive breeding, reintroduction to Bahia Honda State Park, and planned mainland Florida reintroductions. Research on associations informs selection for release sites. The holds literary significance due to Nabokov's taxonomic work.

Similar Taxa

HemiargusClosely related from which Cyclargus was split; separation based on genitalic and wing pattern differences, though not universally accepted by lepidopterists