<> Jamides celeno (Cramer, 1775) <>

the Common Caerulean ผีเสื้อฟ้าวาวสีต่างฤดู

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Photo taken at Doi Suthep-Pui N.P., Chiang Mai, Thailand 700m a.s.l.

Jamides celeno is common across most of the SE Asia region. The sexes are visually similar with just small differences on the upper wings. Like many in this subfamily it is therefore difficult to differentiate between the two in the field as the upper wings are only rarely seen. Although the markings are the same, the colour of the underwings is quite variable. It is a fast flyer and always very active. It is said to be quite sensitive to environmental stresses.

The species is multivoltine and there are a number of broods per annum. The female lays her eggs singly on a young leaf or bud of the host plant.

Synonyms and previously used names: Papilio alexis, Papilio celeno, Cupido agnata, Lampides conferenda, Lampides celeno

Taxonomy: Arthropoda - Insecta - Lepidoptera - Lycaenidae - Polyommatinae - Jamides - celeno

Regional subspecies: Jamides celeno aelianus (Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Yunnan-China, W.Malaysia, Singapore), Jamides celeno lawasa (E.Malaysia, Kalimantan-Indonesia), Jamides celeno lydanus (Taiwan, Philippines), Jamides celeno optimus (Indonesia), Jamides celeno ruvana (Indonesia). There are further subspecies listed at various locations in Indonesia but it is not certain if all are valid.

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

Habitat: Jamides celeno is found in deciduous and evergreen forest, grassland, scrubland, agricultural lands, and urban areas. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1100m a.s.l.

Flight time: all year depending on location Wingspan: 23-30mm

Life History: egg 2-3 days instar1 2-3 days instar2 2 days instar3 3-4 days instar4 7-8 days instar5 n/a pupa 6 days Total egg to adult 22-26 days
All times are approximate and can vary depending on the season and on the host used.

Larval Hosts: Abrus precatorius, Abrus melanospermus, Albizia lebbeck, Butea monosperma, Canavalia gladiata, Centrosema plumieri, Dalbergia sissoo, Derris trifoliata, Dysolobium pilosum, Entada rheedei, Flemingia macrophylla, Lablab purpureus, Leptospron adenanthum, Mucuna pruriens, Neustanthus phaseoloides, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pongamia pinnata, Saraca asoca, Saraca cauliflora, Saraca indica, Vigna hosei, Vigna luteola, Vigna radiata, Vigna reflexopilosa, Vigna unguiculata, Xylia xylocarpa (Fabaceae), Elettaria cardamomum (Zingiberaceae), Heynea trijuga (Meliaceae), Combretum sundaicum (Combretaceae), Donax canniformis (Marantaceae), Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae), Tetradium glabrifolium (Rutaceae).
Actual host plant used depends upon location and availabilty of plant species.

Adult Food Sources: Nectar - Acmella paniculata, Elephantopus scaber, Sphagneticola trilobata, Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae), Orthosiphon aristatus (Lamiaceae), Oxalis barrelieri (Oxalidaceae), Neustanthus phaseoloides, Tephrosia purpurea (Fabaceae), Celosia argentea (Amaranthaceae), Zizyphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae), Antigonon leptopus (Polygonaceae), Jatropa gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae). Other - mud puddling, animal dung, rotting fruit (mango)