# Boisduval's Blue (*Icaricia icarioides*) Boisduval's Blue is a small, beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings. They flit around flowers and are often seen in sunny spots, making them a lovely sight in nature. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Boisduval's Blue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Icaricia_icarioides_missionensis_3.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kobernus, Patrick, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Icaricia_icarioides_missionensis_3.jpg) ## Appearance The Boisduval's Blue is a small butterfly with males sporting iridescent blue upperwings bordered thinly in black. Females vary from mostly blue to entirely brown with some blue scaling. Their undersides are pale gray or brownish, marked with distinctive black spots encircled in white. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Icaricia ## Interesting facts - Caterpillars offer ants a sugary treat called honeydew for protection! - Males are brilliant iridescent blue, but females are often duller brown! - Some Boisduval's Blues live high in chilly mountain meadows! - They only lay their eggs on specific types of lupine plants! ## Special abilities - **Spotty Shield:** Boisduval's Blue has spotted undersides that help them blend with foliage, making it harder for predators to spot them. - **Plant Whisperer:** Boisduval's Blue caterpillars can only eat specific lupine plants, having evolved to process these unique leaves. - **Shimmering Signal:** Boisduval's Blue males have iridescent blue scales that reflect light to create a dazzling display, attracting mates. - **Ant Alliance:** Boisduval's Blue caterpillars produce sweet honeydew, which attracts ants that protect them from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on specific lupine leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat lupine leaves; adults primarily drink nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Lupinus polyphyllus, Lupinus latifolius, Lupinus arboreus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Bigleaf Lupine (*Lupinus polyphyllus*) — Host plant for caterpillars - **Symbiotic with:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Ants protect caterpillars for honeydew - **Eaten by:** [Black-billed Magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-billed-magpie) (*Pica hudsonia*) — Birds prey on butterflies - **Pollinates:** [Coastal Bush Lupine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coastal-bush-lupine) (*Lupinus arboreus*) — Adults help fertilize flowers ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Boisduval's Blue? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Boisduval's Blue's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Boisduval's Blue? 10-15 mm ### How long does Boisduval's Blue live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Boisduval's Blue fly? 10-20 km/h ### What does Boisduval's Blue eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on specific lupine leaves. ### Where is Boisduval's Blue usually found? Grasslands ### How does Boisduval's Blue hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Belly River Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belly-river-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Fort Hoskins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-hoskins) — Oregon, US · Park - [James Cant Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/james-cant-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Boisduval's Blue](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/boisduvals-blue) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Boisduval's Blue: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/boisduvals-blue)