Imperial Blue Butterfly

Description

Wingspan: 32-37 mm

Above: Black wing tips and edges, iridescent greenish-blue central area, two small orange patches at the base of each wing.

Below: creamy brown with black spots and bands.

Diet

Larvae feed on solely on Acacia species whilst the plant is young and less than 3m tall, local favourites include Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii and Acacia melanoxylon.

Adults feed on flowers near their larval food plant.

Breeding

Adult males fly near their larval food plant waiting for females to emerge. Eggs are laid in clusters in crevices of the stems and trunk of an acacia generally less than 3m tall. Larvae hatch and feed on the plant and are attended by small black ants (Iridomyrmex sp.).

Attendant ants protect the larvae from predators and parasites and are rewarded with food secretions from the larvae or pupae.

Adults can be found December - March.

Habitat

Imperial Blue Butterflies prefer open forests and Eucalyptus woodlands.

Distribution

Global: Endemic to Australia.

Australia: Qld, NSW, Vic.

Conservation Status

Vic: unknown

NSW: Critically endangered

Qld: Vulnerable

Threats

• Habitat loss from land clearing