Zizina oxleyi

New Zealand blue, Southern blue
Photo by Angela Moon-Jones

Zizina oxleyi is a pretty little NZ species, now missing from most of NZ apart from the south-east of the South Island.

Family
Lycaenidae
Biostatus
Endemic
Host Plant
Low-growing native brooms (Carmichaelia spp) and low-growing Fabaceae (e.g. clover, trefoil).
Egg
Laid singly, pale green turning blue-green. 4-6 days.
Larva
Up to 14 mm, 5 weeks.
Pupa
7-8 mm long, 15 days.
Adult/Imago
Females dull grey more than blue. Both genders have silvery grey undersides with dark zigzag bands and a banded border.
Wingspan
17-30 mm.
Overwinters
Unknown
Range
Eastern side of South Island.
Distribution

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