Reakirt's Blue Butterfly

Description:

The Reakirt's blue can easily be identified by the underside of forewing with a postmedian row of 5 round black spots circled with white. Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (2 - 2.9 cm). They have 3 broods from March-November. Upperside of male light blue with darker veins and dusky border; female darker. Males patrol for females with an erratic flight during daytime. Females lay eggs singly on flower buds of host during midday. The larva feed on Fabaceae, particularly mesquites. Caterpillars eat flowers and seedpods, sometimes leaves; and are tended by ants which presumably protect the caterpillars in return for their sugary secretions.

Habitat:

Feeding on frogfruit, Phyla nodiflora, in a riparian meadow.

Notes:

This very faded Reakirt's has lost its white fringe, much of its iridescent blue, and some of the black on the underwing dots. Photo 5 shows it beside a new Reakirt's.