<> Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) <>

the Dark Grass Blue ผีเสื้อฟ้าเซลล์จุดสีคล้ำ

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Photo taken at the Angkor temple complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia. c.100m a.s.l.

Zizeeria karsandra is widely distributed across the whole region and is fairly common in many places. It is a small butterfly and the sexes are similar to each other except that the upper wings are purple-blue on the males and brown on the females. Both sexes visit flowers for nectar and when doing so keep their wings tightly closed. They have a weak and fluttery flight.

The species is multivoltine and with a relatively short life cycle there are multiple generations each year. The adult female lays her eggs singly on the underside of leaves on the host plant. About 6-8 eggs are laid at a time but on different leaves.

Synonyms and previously used names: Polyommatus karsandra, Lampides neis, Zizera ishigakiana, Zizera mora, Lycaena conformis

Taxonomy: Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Lycaenidae - Polyommatinae - Zizeeria - karsandra

Regional subspecies: there are no subspecies

Regional Distribution: Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines

Habitat: Zizeeria karsandra is found in grassland, sparsly vegetated areas, and urban parks and gardens. Seen mainly at low elevations but has been recorded up to around 1000m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year depending on location Wingspan: 18-20mm

Life History: egg 3 days instar1 2-3 days instar2 2-3 days instar3 2-3 days instar4 2-3 days instar5 n/a pupa 5-8 days Total egg to adult 16-23 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.

Larval Hosts: Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus tricolor, Amaranthus viridis (Amaranthaceae), Polygonum plebeium (Polygonaceae), Coldenia procumbens (Boraginaceae), Phyllanthus bacciformis (Phyllanthaceae), Glinus lotoides, Glinus oppositifolius, Hypertelis cerviana (Molluginaceae), Tribulus cistoides, Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae), Geissaspis cristata, Medicago sativa, Melilotus indicus, Trifolium alexandrinum, Zornia diphylla, Zornia gibbosa (Fabaceae), Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae), Lantana camara (Verbenaceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Emilia sonchifolia, Erigeron karvinskianus, Galinsoga parviflora, Guizotia abyssinica, Parthenium hysterophorus, Taraxacum javanicum, Tridax procumbens, Cyanthillium cinereum (Asteraceae), Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Oenothera rosea (Onagraceae), Prinsepia utilis, Prunus cerasoides (Rosaceae), Oxalis latifolia (Oxalidaceae), Jasminum mesnyi (Oleaceae), Oplismenus undulatifolius, Poa annua (Poaceae), Hylodesmum repandum, Tephrosia purpurea, Trifolium repens (Fabaceae), Gentiana capitata, Gentiana quadrifaria, Swertia chirayita (Gentianaceae), Boerhavia diffusa (Nyctaginaceae), Rostellularia procumbens, Ruellia tuberosa (Acanthaceae), Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae), Leucas zeylanica (Lamiaceae), Citrus × aurantiifolia (Rutaceae), Dendrobium primulinum (Orchidaceae), Clematis napaulensis (Rananculaceae), Vaccinium retusum, Vaccinium vacciniaceum (Ericaceae), Euphorbia hypericifolia (Euphorbiaceae), Alternanthera pungens (Amaranthaceae). Other - mud puddling