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Greenish Blue

Icaricia saepiolus

The Greenish Blue is a small butterfly with beautiful greenish-blue wings. It flutters around flowers and is often seen in sunny places, bringing joy to everyone who spots it.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Greenish Blue male has brilliant, iridescent blue-green upper wings with narrow black edges. Females are duller blue or brown, sometimes with more extensive dark markings. Its underside is grayish-white with small black spots, each ringed with white, lacking any orange patches.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusIcaricia
Greenish Blue
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Greenish Blue

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

During winter, its chrysalis hides perfectly, sometimes for months, until spring arrives.

Its caterpillars snack on tasty pea and clover plants, which are called legumes.

Male butterflies flash brilliant iridescent blue, while females are often duller with more brown.

Some Greenish Blues fly great distances seeking new fields of their favorite food plants!

Special abilities

Ability

Iridescent Flash

Greenish Blue has special wing scales that reflect light in shimmering blue-green, helping them attract mates.

Ability

Ant Protector Pact

Greenish Blue caterpillars secrete sweet honeydew, attracting ants that protect them from predators.

Ability

Nectar Straw

Greenish Blue has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers.

Ability

Camouflage Cloak

Greenish Blue's gray-spotted underwings allow it to blend into its surroundings when resting, hiding from predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-30 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
5-15 days
Flight Speed
10-20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on plants, while adult butterflies enjoy sweet flower nectar.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) eat leaves of legume plants; adults drink flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • clover leaves
  • lupine leaves
  • vetch leaves
  • flower nectar
  • honeydew

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and quiet when watching butterflies so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greenish Blue's wingspan?

20-30 mm

How big is Greenish Blue?

10-15 mm

How long does Greenish Blue live?

5-15 days

How fast can Greenish Blue fly?

10-20 km/h

What does Greenish Blue eat?

Caterpillars munch on plants, while adult butterflies enjoy sweet flower nectar.

Where is Greenish Blue usually found?

Grasslands

How does Greenish Blue hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Greenish Blue have?

6

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