Hemiargus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Genus: Hemiargus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hemiargus: //ˌhɛ.mɪˈɑːr.ɡəs//

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

Images

Hemiargus ceraunus ssp. filenus by Paul Prior. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Hemiargus ceraunus by leppyone. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hemiargus ceraunus 112284634 by Zygy. Used under a CC0 license.

Hemiargus ceraunus watsoni - Flickr - gailhampshire by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hemiargus ceraunus ssp. antibubastus by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) dorsal by Anne Toal from US. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Hemiargus ceraunus, the Ceraunus blue, is a butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae. Described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793, it is recognized for its small size and blue wings.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of 20–30 mm.

Identification Tips

Look for a small butterfly with a characteristic blue coloration and subtle patterns on the wings.

Habitat

Open woodland, desert scrub, dunes, pastures, road edges, and vacant lots.

Distribution

Southwestern United States, southern Texas, Florida, and the Florida Keys; extends through the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America to South America. Occasional strays in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Nevada.

Diet

Adults feed on flower nectar; larvae feed on the flowers and seedpods of various woody legumes.

Life Cycle

Adults are on wing year-round in Texas and southern Florida, and in late summer in other parts of its range.

Reproduction

Details not provided, but typically includes laying eggs on host plants.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinator and part of the food web.