| Photo Information |
Copyright: Sami TAMSON (stomsoncy)
![Silver Note Writer [C: 7 W: 0 N: 14]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif) (156) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-09-09 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Exposure: f/22, 1/60 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-11-06 20:56 |
| Viewed: 556 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I got this information from Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis)pages (http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Middle_East/Cyprus/photo185246.htm).(Bayram bilgileri izinsiz aldim,umarim bu konu rahatsiz etmez,tesekkurler)Thanks a lot BAYRAM
A very small butterfly with a wingspan of 15-25 mm. the upperside ground colour of the male is dark mauve-blue with a wide black band along the outer margin. The underside ground colour is grey-brown. In the submarginal area there are brown marks and in the postdiscal and discal areas are series of black spots enhanced with a lighter coloured outline. The upperside ground colour of the female Is dark brown with mauve-blue highlights. The underside is similar to that of the male.
African Grass Blue is a species of the Middle East, Turkey, Cyprus, Crete, Malta, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and southern Asia including India. In Cyprus, the adult butterflies are on the wing throughout the year In successive, overlapping broods. In the winter it is very rare, with sporadic records mainly in coastal areas. Its numbers start increasing in the spring and reach their maximum during the summer and autumn.
The recorded larval host-plants are many, and from various plant families. In Cyprus it has been observed ovipositing on Tribulus terrestris (Maltese Cross), a member of the Zygophyllaceae family, Polygonum equisetiforme (Polygonaceae), Glinus lotoides (Alzoaceae), Trifolium fragiferum (Leguminosae) and Amaranthus blitum (Amaranthaceae). The larvae are attended by ants whilst developing on the host-plant.
A very common butterfly in Cyprus, especially in distribution lowland areas. Its small size and dark colouring cause this species to be easily overlooked. Recorded in gardens, agricultural land, riverbanks and dams from sea level to 550 m. It Is very common in the autumn close to damp localities, gardens or irrigated areas where its host-plants grow. Flies low, very close to the ground, perching on low vegetation or on the ground. It feeds on the nectar of small flowers and is especially attracted to the flowers of Polygonum equisetiforme.
Reference:
Makris, C. (2003). Butterflies of Cyprus. Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. 329 pp. |
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