Canary Blue
Common NameCanary Blue
Scientific NameAricia cramera
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)28
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, brown, white, black
HabitatDry, open, rocky areas, scrubland, coastal dunes
Geographic RangeMacaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira), North Africa
Host PlantsErodium cicutarium, Geranium molle, Helianthemum canariense
Flight PeriodFebruary to November (multivoltine)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green and feed on leaves, pupating near the ground. It is multivoltine, producing several broods annually.
Identification TipsKey features for identification are the prominent orange band with black spots on the hindwing underside, and its specific range in Macaronesia and North Africa, distinguishing it from similar species like the Brown Argus.
Description
A small butterfly with a plain brown upperside (not visible) and a distinctive underside. The forewing underside is greyish-brown with a series of black spots ringed in white, while the hindwing underside features a prominent orange submarginal band containing black spots, also ringed in white.
