Why is it known as a blue?

Plains cupid (Chilades pandava) - Underside

Plains cupid - a blue butterfly?

One of the first question that the beginners of butterfly watching ask is “Why are the ‘The Blues’ group of butterflies called as such?”

The question is not invalid because the common butterflies of this group are not only relatively small and when they do sit at one place they do not appear to be blue at all. The Plains cupid (Chilades pandava) with a wing span of about 25mm is a commonly seen example of a blue butterfly.

Plains cupid (Chilades pandava) - Upperside

Plains cupid - of course it is blue!!

The answer lies in seeing the upper side of the wings of male Plains Cupid and that too in the wet season form. It is a beautiful Lavender blue. The female or the dry season form of the male is dull brown and thus escapes attention. I have observed that the smaller blues like to sun themselves a bit with open wings during the mornings in the rainy season and that is the best time to photograph them.

In other trivia – The blues is a sub-family of the Lycaenidae. The Lycaenidae are the second-largest family of butterflies, with about 6000 species worldwide,  whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 40% of the known butterfly species. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaenidae

More information on Plains Cupid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plains_Cupid

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27 Responses to “Why is it known as a blue?”

  1. Excellent shot?

    Where did you spot this one?

  2. Beautiful butterfly.

    They also added this photo to their favourites

  3. @Mayur – this is very common butterfly – just that it is small and most people miss it. Taken behind Vayusena Nagar – Nagpur

  4. This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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    They also added this photo to their favourites

  5. Flickr: Swati Sani says:

    Added this photo to their favorites

  6. This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  7. Wonderful capture of this little butterfly !!
    This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  8. Pretty color on this butterfly! Well captured!
    This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  9. Congratulations..! You truly deserve this award..

    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/srinathholla/3712964966/]

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  10. bel contrasto!!

    Seen in my contacts’ photos. ( ?² )

  11. beautiful colors

    This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  12. Flickr: nancydarling says:

    Added this photo to their favorites

  13. Very well done ! Great contrast colours !

    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/altemail/3755416452/]

  14. Simply wonderful image !!! Great timing !

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  15. This is ART!

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    They also added this photo to their favourites

  16. very nice.
    This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  17. Flickr: mimmama says:

    Added this photo to their favorites

  18. This is a Fantastic shot..!! Excellent Work..!!

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  19. Flickr: A for Adultery says:

    Added this photo to their favorites

  20. You are invited to add this wonderful photo to
    Capturing the Butterfly Beauty </a<

    Please feel free to invite other photographs to this group as-well.

  21. Flickr: monkeyflowers says:

    Added this photo to their favorites

  22. arun raja R.D. says:

    its a common cerulian i think

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