Plebejus

plebejus

The Plebejus butterfly is a colorful insect that flits around in sunny meadows. Kids will love watching it dance from flower to flower!

Hábitat: Sunny meadows, gardens, and open fields.

Aspecto

The Plebejus is a small butterfly, often displaying shimmering blue wings in males, while females can be blue or brown. Their undersides frequently feature delicate patterns of black spots and vibrant orange or red bands along the margins, distinguishing them from plainer butterflies.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenLepidopteraFamiliaLycaenidaeGéneroPlebejus

Plebejus

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

Peligro

0/5 · Sin peligro conocido

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

Even as tiny caterpillars, Plebejus have a special gland that produces sweet honeydew for ants!

Plebejus butterflies have taste receptors on their feet, tasting plants just by landing!

Some Plebejus caterpillars can vibrate their bodies, possibly to communicate with ants!

The brilliant blue color on male Plebejus wings isn't pigment; it's from light scattering!

Habilidades especiales

Plebejus can 'talk' to ants, giving them sugary treats in exchange for protection from predators, an amazing partnership!

Plebejus has dark body scales that absorb sunlight, helping them quickly warm up for flight on cool mornings.

Plebejus larvae are often green or brown with cryptic patterns, helping them blend perfectly with host plants.

Medidas y detalles

Envergadura: 20-40 mm
Tamaño: 10-20 mm
Esperanza de vida: 10-25 días
Velocidad de vuelo: 15 km/h
Cantidad de patas: 6

Dieta y alimentación

Adult Plebejus butterflies sip sweet nectar from flowers to get energy, while caterpillars munch on plants.

Diferencias por edad: Adults drink nectar, but caterpillars eat leaves of host plants.

Alimentos principales

Nectar
Clovers
Vetch
Milk-vetch

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

depends on

Common Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus corniculatus

Caterpillars eat its leaves for food and shelter.

symbiotic with

Black Garden Ant

Lasius niger

Ants protect caterpillars in exchange for sugary honeydew.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Adult butterflies and caterpillars can become a meal for birds.

Rasgos

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.