Leptotes marina

Marine Blue

Introduction:

The upperside is blue, underside is marked by brown bands with two blue spots on the hind wings. Adults are on wing from April to September in the north and all year round in south. Its habitats include weedy, open sites and deserts.
Life Cycle: known to migrate northwards, with adults occasionally venturing into the northern United States and southern CanadA

Size 1-1.5 inch (22-29 mm)
Sexual Dimorphism: false
Metamorphosis: complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

Insect Data

Names and Taxonomy

Common Names: marine blue or striped blue
Synonyms: Lycaena marina, Leptotes burdicki
Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies, and Moths)
Family: Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Butterflies)
Genus Information: 1 species in NV, 3 in CA, 5 in US

Distribution

Distribution: AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, MEXICO,
Seen: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Habitat: deserts, subtropical scrub, urban and suburban areas, pastures, and old fields
Food: adult flower nectar, larva flower buds and developing seeds of various legumes, including native Milkvetches, Amorpha californica, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, and non-native species

Photographs

Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

Vocabulary Reference Material

Plants, leaf and flower anatomy is essential to properly classify

Sky Island vegetation biomes

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Get in touch

I am usually out hiking, birding or traveling but you can reach me at:

buzardweb@gmail.com