Marine Blue

Fascinating facts about the Marine Blue

• A butterfly fits on a thumbnail, with a wingspan of just 22-29 mm. That tiny size lets the marine blue slip between desert weeds and open scrub without being seen. Its diminutive frame shows how insects can thrive in habitats where larger flyers would be spotted and preyed upon.
• From April through September the marine blue flutters in northern ranges, and it is on wing all year round in the south.
• Marine blue caterpillars feed on many plants, including alfalfa and mesquite, and larvae are associated with Argentine ants.
• The marine blue's wingspan measures 22-29 mm. Its upperside is blue, while the underside has brown bands and two blue spots on each hind wing.
• In the northern part of its range, adult marine blues are on the wing only from April through September, matching the period when temperatures are warm enough for activity. Further south, the climate stays mild year-round, allowing adults to be seen in any month. This seasonal shift reflects the butterfly's reliance on suitable weather for feeding and reproduction.

Sources

Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.

• Wikipedia
• BugGuide

At a glance

About the Marine Blue

In the warm, sun-drenched waters of the tropical seas, the Marine Blue butterfly fish glides effortlessly, its iridescent scales shimmering like a canvas of turquoise and silver. With a gentle flick of its delicate fins, it navigates the coral reef, a master of subtlety and stealth, as it searches for the small invertebrates that sustain it. As it dances through the waves, its ethereal beauty is a testament to the magic that lies just beneath the surface of our oceanic world.

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