Western Tailed-Blue
ExploreInsects
Western Tailed-Blue
Cupido amyntula
The Western Tailed-Blue is a small butterfly with beautiful blue wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny places during warm days.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Western Tailed-Blue is a small butterfly, with males displaying iridescent blue upperwings, while females are more grayish-blue. Both sexes feature tiny, delicate 'tails' on their hindwings, alongside small black spots on their otherwise pale gray undersides.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusElkalyce
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It helps wildflowers grow by spreading pollen as it sips nectar.
Its caterpillar shares sweet 'honeydew' with ants who then guard it!
Many male butterflies gather at muddy puddles to sip vital salts.
This butterfly can spend the whole winter safely hidden as a pupa!
Special abilities
Ability
Decoy Tails
Western Tailed-Blue has tiny wing tails that wiggle, making predators target the wrong end, allowing the butterfly to escape.
Ability
Ant Whisperer
Its caterpillars have special glands that secrete a sugary liquid, attracting ants who then protect them from other predators.
Ability
Leafy Camouflage
The pale, patterned underside of its wings helps the Western Tailed-Blue blend perfectly with bark or dry leaves when resting.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 20-30 mm
- Size
- 10-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-270 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip flower nectar for energy, while caterpillars munch on the leaves of pea plants.
Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on plant leaves and buds; adults feed solely on flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Flower nectar
- Lupine leaves
- Vetch leaves
- Clover leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Arctic Lupine
Lupinus arcticus
Larvae munch on its leaves and flower buds.
symbiotic with
Silky Ant
Formica fusca
Ants protect its caterpillars in exchange for sugary honeydew.
pollinates
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Sips nectar, carrying pollen between flowers.
eaten by
Flower Crab Spider
Misumena vatia
Can ambush butterflies resting on flowers.
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.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Tailed Blue Butterfly
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Western Tailed-Blue's wingspan?
20-30 mm
How big is Western Tailed-Blue?
10-15 mm
How long does Western Tailed-Blue live?
30-270 days
What does Western Tailed-Blue eat?
Adults sip flower nectar for energy, while caterpillars munch on the leaves of pea plants.
Where is Western Tailed-Blue usually found?
Grasslands
How does Western Tailed-Blue hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Western Tailed-Blue have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_Panorpa_vulgaris_-_female_dorsal_view.jpg&width=800)
