Acacia blue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia blue |
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The Acacia blue (scientific name: Surendra vivarna) is a type of butterfly. It belongs to the Lycaenidae family, which are often called "blues" or "hairstreaks" because of their pretty colors and tiny tails on their wings. You can find this butterfly in places like Sri Lanka, India, and some islands in Indonesia, including Sulawesi.
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Where the Acacia Blue Lives
The Acacia blue butterfly lives in many parts of Asia. Its home range is quite similar to other butterflies in its group, called Surendra. You won't find it in China or the main islands of the Philippines. However, it does live on some smaller islands near the Philippines, like Balabac, Palawan, and the Calamian Islands.
What the Acacia Blue Looks Like
The Acacia blue butterfly is known for its beautiful colors. The males often have a deep blue color on their upper wings, with black edges. The females are usually dark brown all over. Both males and females have two small, black tails on their hindwings. The underside of their wings is typically a dark grayish-brown, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.
Different Types of Acacia Blue Butterflies
Just like people can have different looks depending on where they are from, butterflies can have different "subspecies." These are slightly different versions of the same butterfly species that live in different areas. Here are some of the Acacia blue subspecies:
- Surendra vivarna amisena – found in places like South Burma, Thailand, Malaya, and Sumatra.
- Surendra vivarna palowna – lives in Borneo.
- Surendra vivarna samina – found in Sulawesi.
- Surendra vivarna agdistis – lives on Nias Island.
- Surendra vivarna biplagiata – found in southern India.
- Surendra vivarna latimargo – lives in the Andaman Islands.
- Surendra vivarna discalis – found in Sri Lanka.
What Acacia Blue Butterflies Eat
Acacia blue butterflies, especially when they are caterpillars, love to eat plants from the Fabaceae family. This family includes trees and shrubs like Acacia, Albizia, and Paraserianthes. These plants are important for the caterpillars to grow and change into butterflies. Sometimes, different types of ants will even hang out near these butterflies, as they can have a special relationship.
Images for kids
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About to emerge
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Wings enlarging
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Male, underside, North Sulawesi
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Male, upperside, North Sulawesi
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Female, underside, North Sulawesi
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Female, upperside, West Brunei
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Male and female S.v.samina
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From the Courvoisier Collection, Basel, Switzerland
See also
- Lycaenidae
- List of butterflies of India
- List of butterflies of India (Lycaenidae)
