Metallic Cerulean

Description:

"Physical Description of Adult Butterfly: The Metallic Caerulean is described as the largest species in the elpis subgroup, which is characterized by the post-discal band on the forewing beneath being completely dislocated at vein 3. The male of the species has a black diffuse border on the forewing, expanding to about 1mm at the apex and a series of black marginal spots on the hindwing. The female has the forewing border extending narrowly along the costa to the base. The Metallic Caerulean has bright metallic blue uppersides, and grey ground colour on the undersides with the usual white banding. On the hindwing, there is a black centred orange-crowned eyespot at the tornal area, with some additional submarginal orange markings along veins 1b and 4. There is a white-tipped filamentous tail at vein 2 of the hindwing."

Notes:

Genus: Jamides Hübner , 1819 Species: alecto C. Felder, 1860 Sub-species: ageladas Fruhstorfer, 1915 Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 35mm Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Nicolaia elatior (Zingiberaceae, common name: Torch Ginger), Saraca cauliflora (Leguminosae, common name: Yellow Saraca) Photos taken between 10:37-10:40am.