Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
The Holly Blue is a small butterfly commonly found in manmade gardens, and are known for their bright blue hue. They are scattered across their habitat in 14 local subspecies, divided into four biological groups, viz. argiolus, kollari, ladonides, and ladon. It belongs to the ‘lycaenids’ or ‘blues’ family, all the members of which have varying shades of blue.
Scientific Classification
- Family: Lycaenidae
- Genus: Celastrina
- Common names: ‘Hill hedge blue’ (in India), ‘spring azure’ (the ladon group of subspecies in North America), and ‘echo blue’ (the western subspecies).
- Scientific Name: Celastrina argiolus
Description and Identification
Caterpillar
The mature larva has a segmented body with a bright green coloration, which is enough to help the insect camouflage among the leaves of its host plant. They also have very minute velvety hair all over the dorsal side of the body.
Pupa
The chrysalis is light brown with random dark patches, mostly shaped like a shelled groundnut. The color pattern, again, is enough to help them stay unnoticed within the dry leaves of the autumn and winter.
Adult Butterfly
Sexual Dimorphism: Moderately present
Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, the dorsal side of the wings in the male display a bright blue coloration with white venation and a white outside border, while the females have a similar pattern, but with black wing edges. When the wings are closed, the undersides of both the sexes display a pale blue to bluish grey color along with small, scattered black spots (that differentiates them from the Common Blue).
Average wingspan: 26-34 mm
Flight pattern: Fast and erratic, above head height
Eggs
White to pale greenish in color, and laid one at a time
Quick Facts |
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| Distribution | Commonly occurs in South Asia from Chitral in Pakistan to Kumaon in India, Eurasia, as well as parts of North and Central America |
| Habitat | Gardens, parks, woodland rides, churchyards, and hedgerows |
| Host plants | Species belonging to the ‘holly’ (Ilex) genus |
| Adult diet | Mostly flower nectar |
Did You Know?
- It is difficult to catch these butterflies since, apart from being fast fliers, they always fly above head height.
Scientific Classification
- Family: Lycaenidae
- Genus: Celastrina
- Common names: ‘Hill hedge blue’ (in India), ‘spring azure’ (the ladon group of subspecies in North America), and ‘echo blue’ (the western subspecies).
- Scientific Name: Celastrina argiolus
Dr. James Watuwa on January 24, 2019.
Butterfly Team
