Rayed blue

Candalides heathi

''Candalides heathi'', the rayed blue, is a species of butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in southern Australia, including South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

The wingspan is about 30 mm. Adults are pale brown with a purple sheen. The underside is white with a row of black dots along the wing margins.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on ''Pimelea'' species, ''Eremophila longifolia'', ''Plantago'' species and ''Derwentia derwentiana''. They are green with dense white hairs and six reddish knobs on their back. The larvae are attended by black ants. Pupation takes place in a brown pupa with a length of about 10 mm which is formed on the host plant or in debris on the ground.
Rayed blue ( Candalides heathi )  Australia,Candalides heathi,Eamw butterflies,Geotagged,Spring

Naming

*''C. h. heathi''
⤷ ''C. h. aerata''
⤷ ''C. h. alpina'' Waterhouse, 1928
⤷ ''C. h. doddi'' Burns, [1948] )

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyLycaenidae
GenusCandalides
SpeciesC. heathi
Photographed in
Australia