# Plebejus The Plebejus butterfly is a colorful insect that flits around in sunny meadows. Kids will love watching it dance from flower to flower! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Sunny meadows, gardens, and open fields. - **Also known as:** Lesser Blue ![Plebejus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Polyommatini_3%28loz%29.JPG&width=800) Photo: Loz (L. B. Tettenborn), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyommatini_3%28loz%29.JPG) ## Appearance The Plebejus is a small butterfly, often displaying shimmering blue wings in males, while females can be blue or brown. Their undersides frequently feature delicate patterns of black spots and vibrant orange or red bands along the margins, distinguishing them from plainer butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Plebejus ## Interesting facts - Even as tiny caterpillars, Plebejus have a special gland that produces sweet honeydew for ants! - Plebejus butterflies have taste receptors on their feet, tasting plants just by landing! - Some Plebejus caterpillars can vibrate their bodies, possibly to communicate with ants! - The brilliant blue color on male Plebejus wings isn't pigment; it's from light scattering! ## Special abilities - **Ant Friendship:** Plebejus can 'talk' to ants, giving them sugary treats in exchange for protection from predators, an amazing partnership! - **Solar Powered:** Plebejus has dark body scales that absorb sunlight, helping them quickly warm up for flight on cool mornings. - **Clever Camouflage:** Plebejus larvae are often green or brown with cryptic patterns, helping them blend perfectly with host plants. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-40 mm - **Size:** 10-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-25 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Plebejus butterflies sip sweet nectar from flowers to get energy, while caterpillars munch on plants. - **Age differences:** Adults drink nectar, but caterpillars eat leaves of host plants. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Clovers, Vetch, Milk-vetch - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Common Bird's-foot Trefoil (*Lotus corniculatus*) — Caterpillars eat its leaves for food and shelter. - **Symbiotic with:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Lasius niger*) — Ants protect caterpillars in exchange for sugary honeydew. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Adult butterflies and caterpillars can become a meal for birds. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Plebejus? 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 Plebejus's wingspan? 20-40 mm ### How big is Plebejus? 10-20 mm ### How long does Plebejus live? 10-25 days ### How fast can Plebejus fly? 15 km/h ### What does Plebejus eat? Adult Plebejus butterflies sip sweet nectar from flowers to get energy, while caterpillars munch on plants. ### Where is Plebejus usually found? Sunny meadows, gardens, and open fields. ### How does Plebejus hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Kootenay Lake Provincial Park - Midge Creek Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kootenay-lake-provincial-park-midge-creek-site) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## 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: [Plebejus: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plebejus)