Species Detail

Marine Blue

Leptotes marina (Reakirt, 1868)

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Attributes of Leptotes marina

Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Blues (Polyommatinae)

Identification: Upperside blue; male with purple tinge, female with no white. Underside of forewing with unbroken pale brown bands from costa to inner margin.

Life history: Males patrol to find females. Eggs are laid singly on flower buds of the host plant; caterpillars eat flowers and seedpods.

Flight: April-September in the north, all through the year in South Texas and southern California.

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Leadwort (Plumbago) and many legumes including alfalfa (Medicago sativa), milkvetch (Astragalus), and mesquite (Prosopis).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical and southwestern open areas including mesquite scrub, city gardens, desert, alfalfa fields, and waste areas.

Range: Southern California east through the Southwest, Mexico and Baja California to Guatemala. Wanders and temporarily colonizes north to Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, and Louisiana.

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.