Hodges#4359

Hemiargus ceraunus

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hemiargus ceraunus: //ˌhɛmiˈɑːrɡəs səˈraʊnəs//

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, known as the Ceraunus blue, is a butterfly species in the Lycaenidae family, notable for its variable eyepots and coloration between sexes, primarily found in the southern United States and extending into Central America.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 20 - 30 mm; two prominent black spots on the leading edge of the hindwing below; one or more prominent large eyepots along the outer edge of hindwing. Males are blue on the upperside while females are brown with a blue edge.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinct black spots and eyepots on the hindwings, and note the color differences between males and females.

Habitat

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

Distribution

Found in the southwestern United States, southern Texas, Florida, and the Florida Keys, with strays recorded in North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Nevada. Distribution extends south through the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America to South America.

Diet

Adults feed on flower nectar; larvae feed on flowers and seedpods of various woody legumes, including Cassia brachiata, Abrus precatorius, and Prosopis species.

Life Cycle

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

Reproduction

Reproduction details are not specified in the provided data.

Predators

Predator information is not provided in the data.

Conservation Status

Conservation status is not specified in the provided data.

Ecosystem Role

Important pollinators as adults and play a role in the ecosystem as larvae feeding on legumes.

Economic Impact

Economic impact is not provided in the data.

Cultural Significance

Cultural significance is not specified in the provided data.

Health Concerns

Health concerns are not mentioned in the data.

Evolution

First described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793, with subspecies including Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus (Florida), Hemiargus ceraunus astenidas (Mexico, Costa Rica), and Hemiargus ceraunus gyas (Arizona, California).

Misconceptions

Misconceptions are not addressed in the data.