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Lang's Short-tailed Blue
ExploreInsects
Lang's Short-tailed Blue
Leptotes pirithous
Lang's Short-tailed Blue is a tiny butterfly with beautiful blue wings. They flutter around flowers and are often seen in sunny places enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Lang's Short-tailed Blue is a small butterfly, with males displaying vibrant iridescent blue upperwings and females having more brown with blue near the body. Its underside is mottled grey-brown with delicate white lines, small black spots, and often two tiny "tails" on each hindwing, each with an orange-ringed black eyespot.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusLeptotes
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its amazing caterpillars can convince ants to be their protectors by offering sweet treats!
Males flash iridescent blue wings in the sun, making them look like flying jewels!
Some butterflies have fake 'eyes' and 'tails' on their wings to confuse hungry birds!
This tiny butterfly is a super traveler, sometimes flying across entire seas to new homes!
Special abilities
Ability
Tricky Tail Feints
Lang's Short-tailed Blue has small tails and eye-spots on its hindwings that trick predators into attacking the wrong end, helping them escape.
Ability
Master of Disguise
This butterfly can quickly blend in with its surroundings due to its mottled grey-brown underside, helping it hide from birds and other threats.
Ability
Ant Bodyguards
Lang's Short-tailed Blue caterpillars secrete sweet honeydew to attract and 'pay' ants, which then protect them from predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 20-30 mm
- Size
- 8-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat plant leaves, but adults drink flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- nectar
- clover leaves
- alfalfa leaves
- pea plants
- genista
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Its caterpillars feed on the leaves.
symbiotic with
Black Garden Ant
Lasius niger
Ants protect its caterpillars in exchange for honeydew.
eaten by
Eurasian Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
This bird is a common predator of the butterfly.
eats
White Clover
Trifolium repens
A host plant for the caterpillars.
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.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
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
Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so you don't scare them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Lang's Short-tailed Blue?
The easiest way to identify Lang's Short-tailed Blue is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
What is Lang's Short-tailed Blue's wingspan?
20-30 mm
How big is Lang's Short-tailed Blue?
8-15 mm
How long does Lang's Short-tailed Blue live?
7-14 days
What does Lang's Short-tailed Blue eat?
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Where is Lang's Short-tailed Blue usually found?
Grasslands
How does Lang's Short-tailed Blue hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Lang's Short-tailed Blue have?
6
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