Varied Dusky-blue
Common NameVaried Dusky-blue
Scientific NameCandalides hyacinthina
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorspale grey, brown, black
HabitatOpen forests, woodlands, heathlands, coastal areas
Geographic RangeEastern and southeastern Australia
Host PlantsPultenaea, Daviesia, Acacia, Leptospermum
Flight PeriodSeptember to May
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are slug-shaped and often myrmecophilous, associating with ants. Pupation occurs near the ground.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size, the pale greyish-brown underside with a distinctive pattern of dark spots, and the sexual dimorphism where males have iridescent blue uppersides and females are dusky brown.
Description
A small butterfly with a pale greyish-brown underside, marked with faint darker spots and a few more prominent black spots, particularly on the hindwing.
