Fresh Lime Blue |
Lime Blue female egg laying on Lime |
Lime Blue (Chilades laius) belongs to Lycaenidae family. It is small butterfly, grayish in color. We
were able to observe its life-cycle. As its name suggest its larval
host plants includes Lime plants. We observed its larva on small lime
tree in Medical garden. Larva was easy to detect even though it is well
camouflaged. Ants constantly follow larva, so in order to find Lime
Blue's larva just follow the trail of ants. On the same plant we were
able to find many empty pupa. This plant had many curled leaves. Lime
blue caterpillar took advantage of this to make the pupa. Pupa were well
concealed inside curled leaves of plant. It seemed that ants
were attaining pupa also. We saw two pupa made very near to each other
on same curled leaf. Lime Blue is seemed to be common in immediate post mansoon months. Again they were mainly encountered around Hill side.
Key
to ID this butterfly is the "L"shaped dots on its hind wings. Sex are
dissimilar, female has black outlines on UP, which are absent in male. Here is a video Describing association of ants with lime blue caterpillar on lime tree.
Lime Blue pupa in secluded leaf of lime, held on palm |
Quick Facts:
Common Name: Lime Blue
Scientific Name: Chilades laius
Wingspan: approx 25-20 mm
Status: Locally Common.
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