# Ceraunus Blue (*Hemiargus ceraunus*) The Ceraunus Blue is a small, beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in gardens and fields, making them a delightful sight! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 24 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Ceraunus Blue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hemiargus_ceraunus.jpg&width=800) Photo: leppyone, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hemiargus_ceraunus.jpg) ## Appearance The Ceraunus Blue has iridescent violet-blue upperwings in males, while females are dusky brown with a touch of blue near the body. Its pale grayish-white underwings feature small black spots and faint orange crescents, plus a tiny tail on each hindwing that sets it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Hemiargus ## Interesting facts - The name 'Ceraunus' comes from a Greek word meaning 'thunderbolt'! - Their tiny caterpillars are sometimes 'farmed' by ants for a sweet treat. - They can overwinter as a pupa, patiently waiting for spring to emerge. - This butterfly is one of the most widespread 'blues' in North America. ## Special abilities - **Sun Seeker:** Ceraunus Blue can absorb warmth from the sun, which helps them quickly become active and fly, even on cooler days. - **Distraction Tails:** Ceraunus Blue has delicate hindwing tails and spots that mimic antennae and eyes, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end. - **Rapid Generations:** Ceraunus Blue can complete multiple life cycles in a single warm season, allowing their populations to grow quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 22-30 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Ceraunus Blues sip flower nectar, but their young feast on the leaves of legume plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves, flowers, and seeds; adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, clover leaves, partridge pea leaves, alfalfa leaves, indigo leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Partridge Pea](https://www.snappit.app/explore/partridge-pea) (*Chamaecrista fasciculata*) — Larvae feed on its leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Spanish Needles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spanish-needles) (*Bidens alba*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar. - **Symbiotic with:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Ants protect caterpillars for honeydew. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Can be caught in spider webs. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds prey on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Ceraunus 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 Ceraunus Blue's wingspan? 22-30 mm ### How big is Ceraunus Blue? 10-15 mm ### How long does Ceraunus Blue live? 7-21 days ### How fast can Ceraunus Blue fly? 15 km/h ### What does Ceraunus Blue eat? Adult Ceraunus Blues sip flower nectar, but their young feast on the leaves of legume plants. ### Where is Ceraunus Blue usually found? Urban areas ### How does Ceraunus Blue hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Fort Caroline](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-caroline) — Florida, US · National Park - [Houston Arboretum and Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [St. Augustine Town Plan Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-augustine-town-plan-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [San Antonio Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo [View all places to see Ceraunus Blue](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ceraunus-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: [Ceraunus Blue: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ceraunus-blue)