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Lampides boeticus - Pea blue Hairstreaks have evolved a very clever defence strategy. The have two hairs at the rear end that imitate antennae, and they can even be moved and waggled. The butterfly also have an ocelli or two which add to the illusion that the meaty end is the rear end.<br /> <br /> This strategy really works well. I have images of three specimens, two of which, the rear end has been bitten off by predators, leaving the butterfly still able to function. All three are shown in this series, see the links below.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39352/lampides_boeticus_-_pea_blue.html" title="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/39352_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=%2FbycaayhdD0vTm72AWIzKQBd3gA%3D" width="200" height="200" alt="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue The top view of hairstreaks is notoriously difficult to obtain as they tend to keep their wings tight together, to maximize the effect of the false antennae.<br /> <br /> After collecting all my standard images, I applied the trick of lightly blowing on the back of the butterfly. Occasionally this strategy works, and I get a brief photo opportunity. More often, the butterfly is gone, but I have my shots in the can.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,West Java,Winter,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39350/lampides_boeticus_-_pea_blue.html" title="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/39350_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=o59tZc9kJVPKcqd5Vnf28XaqT9o%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,Spring,West Java,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39353/lampides_boeticus_-_pea_blue.html" title="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2784/39353_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=sp7LvMqD7%2BJS4YCvh4rseWU0N5w%3D" width="200" height="200" alt="Lampides boeticus - Pea blue Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html<br /> Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,Summer,West Java,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue" /></a></figure> Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,West Java,Winter,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue Click/tap to enlarge

Lampides boeticus - Pea blue

Hairstreaks have evolved a very clever defence strategy. The have two hairs at the rear end that imitate antennae, and they can even be moved and waggled. The butterfly also have an ocelli or two which add to the illusion that the meaty end is the rear end.

This strategy really works well. I have images of three specimens, two of which, the rear end has been bitten off by predators, leaving the butterfly still able to function. All three are shown in this series, see the links below.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

Lampides boeticus - Pea blue The top view of hairstreaks is notoriously difficult to obtain as they tend to keep their wings tight together, to maximize the effect of the false antennae.<br /> <br /> After collecting all my standard images, I applied the trick of lightly blowing on the back of the butterfly. Occasionally this strategy works, and I get a brief photo opportunity. More often, the butterfly is gone, but I have my shots in the can.<br /> <br /> Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,West Java,Winter,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue

Lampides boeticus - Pea blue Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,Spring,West Java,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue

Lampides boeticus - Pea blue Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/39351/bf_hairstreak_5054.html<br /> Bandung,Geotagged,Indonesia,Java,Lampides boeticus,Peablue or Long-tailed Blue,Summer,West Java,butterfly,hair streak,hairstreak,pea blue

    comments (2)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Very educational post, Dave, I did not know that they can actually move that tail. Posted 9 years ago
    1. View Vodkaman's profile
      Vodkaman
      Lion
      View Lion class
      When you approach the butterfly and position yourself for the side shot, the butterfly will turn to present its rear end to you and wiggle its false antennae in your face. It is a constant battle with these bugs, but worth the effort.

      DAve       Posted 9 years ago

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The Long-tailed pea-blue

"Lampides boeticus", the pea blue, or long-tailed blue, is a small butterfly that belongs to the lycaenids or gossamer-winged family.

Info 30 1
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Vodkaman
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By Vodkaman

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jun 7, 2016. Captured Jul 21, 2012 10:18 in Jl. Lavender No.8, Ciwaruga, Parongpong, Kabupaten Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat, Indonesia.
country flag of Indonesia Explore Indonesia 10,751 2,570 0
  • NIKON D7000
  • f/8.0
  • 10/8000s
  • ISO640
  • 105mm
Captured in the winter. More winter photos.