| Photo Information |
Copyright: Yedidia Yerushalmi (yedidia)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 35 W: 0 N: 69]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (439) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-12-13 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/640 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-01-20 0:48 |
| Viewed: 740 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous) is a small tropical butterfly, that belongs to the Lycaenids family, found from South Africa to India in arid habitates. African Babul Blue found during all the year seasons, in the hottest and driest parts of Israel: Jordan Valley, around the Dead Sea and the Arava southward to Eilat city. At summer it spreads out of these regions. The wingspan of this butterfly is 25mm. The Male and the female have a different appearance, the male is blue and the female is grayish-brown. The female lays her eggs on the thin leaves of Acacia (Acacia raddiana or Acacia tortilis) or Dwarf Mesquite (Prosopis farcta).
Another creature who exploits the Acacia in that regions, is the semi-parasite plant, Acacia Strap Flower (Loranthus acaciae). The vivid- green fleshy leaves, and the long tube-like red flowers of this plant, are ornamenting the acacia greyish leafage. But the cost that the Acacia pays for this "decoration" is organic materials, that provide about 50% of the total Strap Flower's needs.
The photo from Eilat region, shows the African Babul Blue stand on the Acacia Strap Flower. |
nirmalroberts has marked this note useful
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Hi Yedidia
Coincidence that you published this Azanus almost at the same time as I published Azanus isis.
Same family but very different markings.
See also Azanus jesous in South Africa also on Treknature.
Rgds Mike