Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
This butterfly was observed in the Superstition Mountains along First Water Trail, Maricopa Co., Arizona. May 2009. With its head facing down it is taking nectar from flowers of Catclaw Acacia (Acacia greggii). Notice the small eye spots at the posterior end of the butterfly (at top in this photo).
Lycaenidae -- Gossamer-winged Butterfly Family
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Marine Blue is
a common to abundant small blue butterfly along riparian corridors where there
are mesquite trees or other plants in the bean family. This butterfly is
widespread throughout the Southwest United States and Mexico. Marine Blue has a wingspan of roughly
25 mm. Large numbers can sometimes gather at damp spots taking
water and dissolved salts.
The
slug-like caterpillar feeds on mesquite and other members of the bean family.
Even alfalfa can be used for the larval stage. When the caterpillar is resting
on leaves of
Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) as this one was they become
nearly invisible to insectivorous birds.