This butterfly is common but so small it is often overlooked. When Covid restrictions meant lawns were being mowed less often by commercial operators, the blue butterfly had an opportunity to breed.
Originally it may have flown/blown from Australia or been introduced with other plants by the first European colonists.
Family
Lycaenidae
Biostatus
Native
Host Plant
Clovers (Trifolium spp), Lotus spp, Medicago spp.
Egg
Laid singly. 4-6 days.
Larva
Colourless at first, becomes green or pink when it stars feeding. 5 weeks.
Pupa
Cream to green to grey-brown with mottling. Rounded. Attached by girdle and weak cremaster.
Adult or Imago
Found close to their host plants. Silery grey underside dotted with brown and white spots. Brighter blue when new.
Wingspan
20-27 mm
Overwinters
As larvae.
Range
Open grassy areas up to 1000 m.
Distribution
