Silvery Blue
ExploreInsects
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
The Silvery Blue is a small, beautiful butterfly with shiny blue wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny places during spring and summer.
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The Silvery Blue has iridescent violet-blue upper wings in males, while females are duller brown with a touch of blue near their body. Their undersides are a pale silvery-blue to gray with a row of small, dark spots, often with a hint of green, making them visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusGlaucopsyche
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult Silvery Blues use their long, straw-like tongues to sip sweet nectar from many different flowers.
After hatching, their caterpillars munch on leaves from peas, beans, and clover plants!
Only male Silvery Blues have bright, iridescent blue upper wings; females are mostly brownish!
Silvery Blue caterpillars are slug-shaped and often hide inside flowers or seed pods!
Special abilities
Ability
Ant Bodyguards
Silvery Blue caterpillars can produce sweet honeydew that attracts and rewards ants, making the ants protect them from predators.
Ability
Leafy Disguise
The Silvery Blue caterpillar has a green, camouflaged body that helps it blend perfectly with its host plants, hiding from hungry birds.
Ability
Shimmering Signals
Male Silvery Blues have tiny wing scales that scatter light, creating their dazzling iridescent blue color to attract mates.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 20-32 mm
- Size
- 10-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Tiny caterpillars eat plants, while adult butterflies sip nectar from flowers.
Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves, while adults only consume flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Nectar (adults)
- Clover leaves (larvae)
- Lupine leaves (larvae)
- Vetch leaves (larvae)
- Pea plants (larvae)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Dusky Ant
Formica fusca
Ants protect caterpillars in exchange for sweet honeydew.
depends on
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Caterpillars feed on its leaves and flowers; adults drink nectar.
depends on
Bigleaf Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus
A key host plant for Silvery Blue caterpillars to eat.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Robins are generalist insectivores that may prey on adults.
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.
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
Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't touch them too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Silvery Blue's wingspan?
20-32 mm
How big is Silvery Blue?
10-15 mm
How long does Silvery Blue live?
10-20 days
What does Silvery Blue eat?
Tiny caterpillars eat plants, while adult butterflies sip nectar from flowers.
Where is Silvery Blue usually found?
Meadows
How does Silvery Blue hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Silvery Blue have?
6
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