Common Cerulean

Common Cerulean

Jamides celeno aelianus Fabricius LYCAENIDAE

(=Jamides celeno celeno ( Cramer))

Adult upperside male pale bluish white. FW with a narrow outer black border. HW with a prominent tail at the tornal region, having 2 or 3 black spots. Female FW with dark brown / black border. HW with costal dark border and atleast 8 black spots and the tail. Underside both wings with white wavy lines and an orange bordered spot above the tail. Wingspan 27-40mm.

Occurs in all types of habitats throughout India, especially abundant in places of its food plants, Pongam and Flame of the forest and along streams in the forests. It is the only Cerulean occurring outside the forested areas. Both sexes visit flowers.

Larva

Dull reddish green with a darker dorsal line and a row of lateral streaks or spots on each segment. Attended on by ants with great Zeal.

Feeds on the flowers and leaves of Pongam, Flame of the Forest, Asoka tree, Indian Liquorice, Derris Tubaroot, Pyinkado, Cardamom ( ?) etc.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines and New Guinea.