Lampides boeticus

The Latin species name boeticus refers to Baetica, a province of the Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsula . Its common name refers to the long streamers on its hind wings, the male's bright iridescent blue colour, and peas, which is the typical host plant of the butterfly. == Taxonomy ==

This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767 and was initially named Papilio boeticus. ==Distribution==

This species can be found in Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is also found in the Hawaiian islands. It is also found in the Maldives.In New Zealand this species is regarded as being self introduced as was first observed in November 1965. ==Habitat==

This species inhabits the edge of forests, mountain meadows and hot flowery places at an elevation up to above sea level. ==Description==

The wingspan is 24–32 mm for males and 24–34 mm for females. Both sexes have a thin, long tail in the hindwings and two black spots in the anal angle. The underface of the wings is ocher and adorned with white markings and with a larger white submarginal streak. (MHNT) Lampides boeticus - Midelt Maroco - male dorsal.jpg|Lampides boeticus ♂ (MHNT) Lampides boeticus - Midelt Maroco - male ventral.jpg|Lampides boeticus ♂ △ The underface of each hindwing shows a pair of small black eye-spots beside each tail, with an orange marginal spots at the anal angle. This species is rather similar and it can be confused with Leptotes pirithous and Cacyreus marshalli although the pea-blue is significantly larger than both species. ==Ecology==

This species may have three generations a year. Adults fly from February to early November and are strong migrants. Old caterpillars are green or reddish-brown, with dark dorsal stripe. They reach a length of 14-15 mm. Pupae reach a length of 9-10 mm. They are light grayish-brown with medium-sized dark spots and dark dorsal stripe. It has also been recorded on Crotolaria pallida. In Australia, the larvae are occasionally attended by ants in the genera Froggattella, Iridomyrmex or Camponotus. ==See also==