Melissa Blue
ExploreInsects
Melissa Blue
Plebejus melissa
The Melissa Blue is a tiny butterfly with beautiful blue wings. It flutters around flowers and loves sunny days, making it a delightful sight in gardens and meadows.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Melissa Blue has iridescent sky-blue upperwings with a thin black border if it's a male, while females are often brownish-blue with orange spots. Its underside is grayish-white, marked with black spots and a distinct row of orange spots along the hindwing.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusLycaeides
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adults taste with their feet, sensing if a flower is yummy for nectar!
Many females surprisingly show off beautiful orange and brown markings, not just blue!
Melissa Blue caterpillars look like tiny green slugs, not fuzzy worms!
They can complete two or three full life cycles (generations) in a single summer!
Special abilities
Ability
Sweet Bodyguard Recruiter
Melissa Blue caterpillars can release sweet liquid to attract ants that protect them from hungry predators.
Ability
Nectar Sipper
Melissa Blue has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them reach delicious nectar deep inside flowers.
Ability
Host Plant Navigator
Female Melissa Blues can precisely find specific legume plants to lay their eggs on, ensuring their babies have food.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-38 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult Melissa Blues sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Age differences: Larvae eat specific plant leaves, while adults exclusively drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Flower nectar
- Lupine leaves
- Milk-vetch leaves
- Alfalfa leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Silky Lupine
Lupinus sericeus
Caterpillars eat its leaves as their primary food source.
depends on
Soft Milk-vetch
Astragalus mollis
Another important host plant for the hungry Melissa Blue caterpillars.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
A common bird that will prey on adult Melissa Blue butterflies.
eaten by
Flower Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
This spider camouflages on flowers, ambushing visiting butterflies.
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
What is Melissa Blue's wingspan?
25-38 mm
How big is Melissa Blue?
15-20 mm
How long does Melissa Blue live?
7-14 days
How fast can Melissa Blue fly?
15 km/h
What does Melissa Blue eat?
Adult Melissa Blues sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves.
Where is Melissa Blue usually found?
Grasslands
How does Melissa Blue hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Melissa Blue have?
6
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