Canary Blue

cyclyrius webbianus

The Canary Blue (Cyclyrius webbianus) is a charming and distinctive butterfly endemic to the Canary Islands, known for the striking azure iridescence of its males. This small lycaenid butterfly is a familiar sight across various habitats on the archipelago, fluttering among flowering plants and rocky outcrops. It embodies the unique biodiversity of the Canary Islands, being one of several species found nowhere else on Earth. Its life cycle is intricately linked with specific Lotus species, offering a fascinating glimpse into the co-evolutionary relationships between insects and their host plants. Observing the Canary Blue provides a delightful connection to the island's natural heritage, showcasing a delicate beauty adapted to its volcanic home.

生息地: This species is commonly found in a variety of open, sunny habitats across the Canary Islands, including rocky slopes, ravines, scrubland, and the edges of laurel forests, particularly where its host plants thrive.

外見

The male Canary Blue is easily identified by its brilliant, iridescent blue upperwings, often framed by a narrow black margin. Females are typically duller, exhibiting a brown coloration on their upperwings, sometimes with a dusting of blue scales near the wing bases. The undersides of both sexes are a more subdued greyish-brown, marked with small, inconspicuous black spots and often a faint, wavy white line near the wing margins. It is a relatively small butterfly, with a wingspan ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters.

界Animalia門Arthropoda綱Insecta目Lepidoptera科Lycaenidae属Cyclyrius

Canary Blue

カテゴリ

昆虫

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

スナップ

最初にスナップしよう！

おもしろい事実

Despite its name "Canary Blue," it is not found on all Canary Islands, with its distribution being somewhat patchy across the archipelago.

Like many Lycaenidae butterflies, the larvae of the Canary Blue may have symbiotic relationships with ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for sugary secretions.

The adult butterflies are often seen "basking" in the sun with their wings open, a behavior that helps them regulate their body temperature for flight.

The vivid blue color of the male's wings is not due to pigment but rather to structural coloration, where microscopic structures on the scales scatter light to create the iridescent effect.

特殊能力

The larvae of the Canary Blue are highly specialized feeders, relying exclusively on certain Lotus species found in the Canary Islands. This specificity ensures their nutritional needs are met but also links their survival directly to the health and presence of these plants.

The brilliant blue of the male's upperwings might seem conspicuous, but when at rest with wings folded, the duller, mottled grey-brown undersides provide excellent camouflage against rocks and dry vegetation. This allows them to blend into their environment, evading predators.

The Canary Blue is multivoltine, meaning it produces multiple generations throughout the year, especially in favorable conditions. This adaptation allows it to maximize reproductive output and survive across different seasons, taking advantage of prolonged warm periods.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 1-2 cm
翼開長: 2-3 cm
体重: 0.0001-0.0003 kg
寿命: 0-1 年
Top Speed: 10 km/h
一度の産卵数: 20-100
抱卵期間: 3-7 日

食性と食事

Adult Canary Blues primarily feed on nectar from various flowering plants, providing them with energy. Their larvae, however, are herbivorous, exclusively consuming the leaves and young shoots of specific Lotus species, which are critical for their development.

年齢による違い: Yes, larvae feed on specific host plant leaves, while adults primarily feed on flower nectar.

主な食物

Nectar from various flowers
Lotus campylocladus leaves
Lotus sessilifolius leaves
Other endemic Lotus species

採餌方法

Foraging (adults), Grazing (larvae)

生態系とのつながり

host plant

Canary Island Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus campylocladus

Larval host plant

host plant

Canary Island Bird's-foot Trefoil

Lotus sessilifolius

Larval host plant

eaten by

Canary Island Lizards

Gallotia spp.

Common predator

eaten by

European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster

Generalist predator

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

Canary Blueを見分けるには？

Canary Blueを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

Canary Blueの長さは何ですか？

1-2 cm

Canary Blueの翼開長は何ですか？

2-3 cm

Canary Blueの体重は何ですか？

0.0001-0.0003 kg

Canary Blueの寿命は何ですか？

0-1 年

Canary Blueのtop Speedは何ですか？

10 km/h

Canary Blueは何を食べますか？

Canary Blueは通常どこに生息していますか？

This species is commonly found in a variety of open, sunny habitats across the Canary Islands, including rocky slopes, ravines, scrubland, and the edges of laurel forests, particularly where its host plants thrive.