Species Detail

Cassius Blue

Leptotes cassius (Cramer, 1775)

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Attributes of Leptotes cassius

Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Blues (Polyommatinae)

Identification: Upperside of males pale blue; females with white patches. Underside tan with broken pale lines; forewing inner margin has "blank" areas with no spots.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly on flower buds of the host plant; caterpillars eat flowers and seedpods. Predation and parasitism may be discouraged by ants, which tend the caterpillars and feed on their sugary secretions.

Flight: All through the year in southern Florida and South Texas. Number of broods has not been determined.

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 3/8 inches (2 - 3.5 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Ornamental leadwort (Plumbago capensis), rattlebox (Crotalaria incana), hairy milk pea (Galactia volubilis), and lima bean (Phaseolus limensis). Larva has been reared on the crenulate lead plant, Amorpha crenulata.

Adult food: Nectar from shepherd's needle, lippia, and many other flowers.

Habitat: Subtropical thorn scrub, forest edges, weedy fields, residential areas.

Range: Florida and the Keys; Texas south through the West Indies, Mexico, and Central America to South America. Strays to New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, and South Carolina.

Conservation: Not usually required.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.