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Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

 

Holly Blue Butterfly

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

Holly Blue Butterfly 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).

Holly Blue
Celastrina argiolus

Average wingspan: 26-34 mm

Flight pattern: Fast and erratic, above head height

Eggs

Holly Blue Butterfly Eggs
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White to pale greenish in color, and laid one at a time

Quick Facts

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.
Male Holly Blue Butterfly
Holly Blue Butterfly Images
Female Holly Blue Butterfly

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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
Published by Avatar on January 24, 2019.
Last Updated: October 13, 2023. ✅ Verified by: Butterfly Team