Nickerbean Blue
Cyclargus ammon (Lucas, 1857)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Identification: Upperside mostly bright blue; female hindwing with orange spot at lower edge. Underside of both sexes with only 3 basal black spots. One of two eyespots at corner of outer margin is always capped with red. Very similar to the Miami Blue.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 3 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on flower buds of host plant. Caterpillars feed on flowers and may live inside the pods, eating seeds.
Flight: Throughout the year in Florida. Adults are in reproductive diapause during the winter generation from December-April.
Caterpillar Hosts: Nickerbean (Cesalpinia bahamensis).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including that of Croton.
Habitat: Openings and edges of tropical hardwood hammocks.
Range: Big Pine Key, Florida and West Indies.
Conservation: Population on Big Pine Key is only U.S. population and should be protected from extirpation by aerial spraying for mosquitoes.
NCGR: G4G5- Apparently or demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Preserve habitat of caterpillar plant and nectar sources.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 verified sightings
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: May 09, 2009
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paula Cannon)
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun (John Calhoun)
Verified date: Oct 13, 2009
Observation date: Mar 22, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paula Cannon)
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (J. Calhoun)
Verified date: Aug 30, 2007
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Eliott Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Big Pine Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004