Melissa blue
The Melissa blue (Plebejus melissa) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in western North America, from Canada to Mexico.
| Melissa blue | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Plebejus |
| Species: | P. melissa |
| Binomial name | |
| Plebejus melissa W.H. Edwards, 1873 | |
Taxonomy
The Karner blue (Plebejus samuelis) was traditionally considered a subspecies of the Melissa blue, and was described by the novelist/lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov.
Description
The wingspan is 22–35 mm. Below, the hindwing orange submarginal band, often with distal iridescent blue points, help to distinguish this species from the more muted colors and markings of the similar Plebejus idas. The marginal line is wider where the veins intersect. The fringes are not checked.[1]
Behavior and diet
The butterfly flies from April to August depending on the location. The larvae feed on Lupinus, Medicago and Lotus species.
References
- Glassberg, Jeffrey (2001). Butterflies through Binoculars: The West. Oxford University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0195106695.
External links
Media related to Plebejus melissa at Wikimedia Commons- Butterflies and Moths of North America
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