Lesser Grass Blue

Description:

Lycaenidae; Lycaeninae; Polyommatini; Zizina otis oriens Butler, 1883. Lycaenidae are often rather skittish and can sometimes be difficult to photograph. However this one seemed to be calm and at rest. When I managed to take the photograph shown above, it didn't seem to be startled and I thought I might be lucky and get some more pictures. However, as soon as I moved to get a different view, I made the mistake of walking between the butterfly and the sun. So, my shadow passed over him and he took off at great speed.

Habitat:

Spotted resting on a patch of dried grass at the side of a road leading into rice fields.

Notes:

Some previous spottings of this species - https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/86... https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/11... https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/20...