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Common Cerulean
Description
A medium sized Lycaenid with a wingspan of 30-35 mm.
Male: The upper sides of both wings are a uniform pale non-metallic cerulean blue with a narrow black submarginal band on the forewing. The outer margin of the hind wing has a row of small black spots.
Female: The upper side is similar in color to that of the male, though much paler. The forewing apex is black, and the marginal band is wider than in the male. The submarginal spots on the upper surface of the hind wing are large with a black lunular line above it.
Similar species
Milky Cerulean and Metallic Cerulean. More information.
Status, distribution and habitat
It is the commonest of all ceruleans and is found all year round, all over the island. It is most frequently met with in the wet zone. It is found in forest habitats as well as in cultivated areas and homesteads.
Habits
An active little butterfly most likely to be encountered among overgrown low brush, hedges or forest glades. It prefers partial shade to full sun. Its flight is somewhat weak and it stays near the ground, except when the females are looking for larval host plants when they me be seen higher up. Both sexes visit flowers. They also love to settle on the tips of leaves of bushes or trees at some height and bask in the sun with their wings slightly opened. The male is not very fond of mud-sipping.
Early stages
Some of the larval food plants are Pongamia glabra, Saraca indica, Butea monosperm and Abrus pecatorius.
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