Pea Blue

Todd Sain Sr.

3 months ago

Source: https://tinyurl.com/bdu6j4f Photo: Haneesh K M. CCL: Public Domain Image

Pea Blue Facts

When people speak of this stunning creation of Nature and evolution, the title most often applied to it is the short one of Pea Blue. The gorgeous insect also has another, less often used general name, though. That’s the descriptive term of long-tailed blue.
Inside of the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps usually better known by its technical label. Thankfully, as such monikers go, it’s a relatively simple one for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because it holds the designation of Lampides boeticus.
The beautiful Lepidoptera received that short appellation due to the efforts of Carl Linnaeus. The imminently respected Swedish zoologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that feat in 1767.
Pleasantly, the magnificent Pea Blue appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That uncommon situation further seems to hold true across its entire range. The IUCN thus currently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
The marvel of Nature should nevertheless be considered as facing several potential threats to its continued existence, at least. Most of these stem from the actions of mankind. They include the related perils of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.

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Source: https://tinyurl.com/yrm2rra6 Photo: Zeynel Cebeci CCL: https://tinyurl.com/bdes27an

Pea Blue Physical Description

The delicate wonder known as the Pea Blue typically charms those fortunate enough to notice it. Unlike some of its relatives, however, it does not do so due to sheer size. That’s true since, though large for its kind, it nonetheless remains a physically small butterfly.

It additionally follows a pattern common to most of those relations, and indeed, all butterflies. That’s in the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiolgical characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, though, this trait manifests itself in size and appearance.

In terms of dimensions, the difference is quite minor. Males of the amazing species attain an average wingspan of between 0.94 – 1.26 in (2.4 – 3.2 cm). Females, however, reach a very slightly greater mean wingspan. For them, this averages 0.94 – 1.33 in (2.4 – 3.4 cm).

Given these measurements, it’s no surprise then that the body evolved as quite small. It develops as short and slender in construction. Its length achieves a mean of only 0.39 – 0.47 in (1.0 – 1.2 cm). The upper side shows dark brown, while the lower presents as whitish.

It’s the wings of the tiny Arthropod that generally garner the most appreciation, though. This is also the second manner in which it displays the gender-based difference. The genders present separate patterns of color, though again, the difference remains minor.

Among males of the Pea Blue, the upper side of both wings typically presents a basic overall pattern consisting of random shades of bluish-violet. The edges of these, though, most commonly display varying shades of brown. Two black spots also adorn each hindwing.

The females, meanwhile, show a somewhat different color scheme. That’s because, for her, the majority of the upper side of both wings displays shades of brown. She also shows some bluish-violet, but this feature only appears as small spots on each of her rear wings.

Yet, both genders of this lovely insect show the same color pattern below. That consists of a principally ocher background, with white markings. Males and females alike also have one more highly defining feature. That’s the remarkable presence of a relatively long, thin tail.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Lampides
Species: L. boeticus

Source: https://tinyurl.com/tbr58fmc Photo: Zeynel Cebeci CCL: https://tinyurl.com/bdes27an

Pea Blue Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The astounding Pea Blue evolved as endemic to an extraordinarily broad swathe of the surface of the earth. The full extent of that zone of habitation might surprise some people, though. It developed as endemic to Europe, Africa, Australia, and most of Asia.

Within the borders of Asia, however, its mostly dwells in either south or southeast portions of the region. Intriguingly, it also lives in the Hawaiian Islands. Though unconfirmed with certainty, it’s presumed it arrived there via the actions of mankind at some point.

Yet, wherever it lives, the insect follows the same basic patterns of behavior. Like most of its many kindred around the globe, this marvel of Nature evolved decidedly strong preferences regarding its choice of habitat. This characteristic does limit its choices, though.

Individuals of this species almost exclusively inhabit the same types of ecosystems. These usually consist of regions such as the edges of forests, mountain meadows, and similar areas with a hot climate and numerous flowers. It also lives at heights of up to 8,900 ft (2,700 m).

Impressively, the diminutive Pea Blue sometimes produces as many as three generations within a single year. The adults of the species most frequently fly between February to early November. During that period, they often migrate from location to location.

Following mating, females lay their eggs individually, placing them on the surface of flower buds of host plants. These eggs usually show white, with a greenish tinge, and have a disc-shaped structure. Each is tiny, averaging only about 0.02 in (0.5 mm) in diameter.

Once hatched, the larvae feed voraciously, which is typical of their kind. They also feed exclusively on the seeds, pods, and flowers of plants in the pea Family, thus the common name. Like their many relatives, the adults of the beautiful species consume nectar.