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Chalkhill Blue
ExploreInsects
Chalkhill Blue
Polyommatus coridon
The Chalkhill Blue is a beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings. It loves to flutter around sunny meadows and is often seen resting on flowers.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Chalkhill Blue butterfly has a striking appearance with strong sexual dimorphism. Males boast iridescent sky-blue wings with a chalky sheen and a white fringe, while females have brown wings adorned with orange spots along the edges and sometimes a dusting of blue near the body.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusLysandra
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male Chalkhill Blues get their incredible blue color from how light bounces off their scales, not from blue pigment!
The Chalkhill Blue gets its name because it loves to live in sunny, chalky grassland areas.
Their caterpillars are super sneaky; they release a sweet liquid to 'pay' ants for protection!
You can only find adult Chalkhill Blue butterflies flying for a few weeks each summer!
Special abilities
Ability
Grass Blender
Chalkhill Blue females have brown wings that help them blend perfectly with dry grasses to avoid being seen by predators.
Ability
Sun Seeker
Chalkhill Blues can bask in the sun to warm their bodies, which gives them the energy needed to fly and find mates.
Ability
Scent Sniffer
Chalkhill Blues have feathery antennae that help them detect the faint scent of flowers and other butterflies from far away.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 32-44 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 14-28 days
- Flight Speed
- 12 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults drink nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on leaves to grow big and strong.
Age differences: Larvae eat leaves of Horseshoe Vetch; adults drink flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Horseshoe Vetch leaves
- Thistle nectar
- Wild Marjoram nectar
- Knapweed nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Horseshoe Vetch
Hippocrepis comosa
Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves.
symbiotic with
Red Ant
Myrmica sabuleti
Ants protect caterpillars for a sugary reward.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
Birds, like tits, prey on these butterflies.
pollinates
Wild Marjoram
Origanum vulgare
Adults visit flowers for nectar, spreading pollen.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chalkhill Blue's wingspan?
32-44 mm
How big is Chalkhill Blue?
15-20 mm
How long does Chalkhill Blue live?
14-28 days
How fast can Chalkhill Blue fly?
12 km/h
What does Chalkhill Blue eat?
Adults drink nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on leaves to grow big and strong.
Where is Chalkhill Blue usually found?
Grasslands
How does Chalkhill Blue hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Chalkhill Blue have?
6
Snap Map
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