Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)

There's something truly special about spotting a red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops). This beautiful Blue butterfly, native to the southeastern United States, is a member of the hairstreak (Theclinae) subfamily and is known for its incredibly fast flight.

While they may not be the most common sight, the thrill of encountering one makes the search worthwhile. Their quick, darting movements are a challenge to follow, but when you do catch a glimpse, the sight is simply stunning. The brilliant flash of red against their wings is a memorable sight, a brief but beautiful encounter with a true jewel of our natural world. I feel so lucky to have seen one right outside my apartment.

Meadow Argus (Junonia villida)

I have a deep appreciation for observing butterflies belonging to the Buckeyes and Pansies group, within the Genus Junonia. There are six species of this genus in India which are fairly commonly encountered.

I have so far met 13 species of Junonia across four continents and six countries.

During my time in Australia, I had the pleasure of encountering the exquisite Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), a species I had the opportunity to see in Hobart, Tasmania on multiple occasions.

These charming butterflies have a distinctive behavior of frequently resting on mud roads or roadside herbs and then taking flight only to settle nearby when disturbed. Although the Meadow Argus is known to inhabit various locations throughout Australia, I regret that the weather conditions in other places did not permit me to spot them during my travels.

Other posts about 

• Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) in late fall

Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola)

Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola) is a small butterfly that can be found fluttering gracefully in various regions across North America. It belongs to the monotypic genus Echinargus belonging to the Lycaenidae family of butterflies. Its mesmerizing wings span just under an inch, adorned with a delicate blue hue that captures the essence of tranquility. Despite its unassuming size, this species possesses an undeniable charm that draws the attention of nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Reakirt's Blue is native to the western parts of the United States all the way to Nicaragua, primarily dwelling in open grasslands, meadows, and prairies. I met this butterfly in California for the first time feeding on the flowers of White Trailing Iceplant (Delosperma litorale).

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Zebra Blue Butterflies (Leptotes)

Genus Leptotes in the butterfly family Licaenidae is group of species with intricate patterns on their underwings. Linnaeus encountered this genus and described as Papilio pirithous in 1767 in his Systema naturae. Later Scudder grouped two American species into genus Leptotes. Worldwide there are now about 25 species in this genus, distributed mainly in Afro-tropical and Neo-tropical regions, but the lone Indo-Australian species placement is a bit uncertain.

So far I met four species of these group. The first one is obviously the Indo-Australian species: Leptotes plinius or the Zebra Blue. This was in India, however it has a very wide distribution. I have interacted with this butterfly numerous times.   

Second species of the group that I have met is Leptotes cassius or the Cassius Blue. This species is distributed in Florida and Texas all the way down to South America. This butterfly can be seen around Plumbago or few other Fabaceae plants. 

The third species is Leptotes pirithous or the Lang's Short-tailed Blue, who I met in Haifa, Israel. When I saw both these species in Florida and Israel, I thought, "Oh the Indian species is here too," but then I found out that they are all actually different species which look very similar.

The fourth one I met recently in California. This is the Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) which is distributed more on western USA and Mexico. 

African Joker (Byblia anvatara)

African Joker (Byblia anvatara) Distributed in Sub-Saharan Africa, similar to the Indian Joker species which also extends to Africa and co-occurs in some parts. Although, I am yet to meet the Indian species, I got to meet this in Foret de Ko, Benin in November 2019.

References:

• Wikipedia
• IUCN

Falls Acraea (Acraea acerata)

Falls Acraea (Acraea acerata) Also called as small yellow-banded acraea or sweet potato butterfly This brightly colored Nymphalidae is distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa and seen in disturbed forest near water. Does not seem to be very common and I got to meet only this one in Foret de Ko, Benin November 2019. 

References:

• Wikipedia
• CABI profile
  
• GBIF profile
• My iNaturalist record

Fashion Commodore (Precis pelarga)

The Fashion Commodore (Precis pelarga) belongs to the Nymphalidae family and is commonly found in the Afrotropical region. I've had the privilege of encountering this butterfly in Benin on multiple occasions. The genus Precis is native to Africa and comprises approximately 17 distinct species.

Initially, I mistook this butterfly for a Pansy (Junonia) species due to its striking resemblance. It's fascinating to note that both of my observations of the Fashion Commodore were in well-wooded areas, where these butterflies seem to thrive and find their natural habitat.

 

References:

• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist records: 18403152, 18403153, 36366549

Phaon Crescent (Phyciodes phaon)

Phaon crescent (Phyciodes phaon)  or mat plant crescent, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, found in Florida, neighboring states, west to New Mexico and south to Cuba and the Cayman Islands where is it known as the crescent spot. Typically encountered in early spring to late fall in most of the range, and all round the year in peninsular Florida.

Genus Phyciodes commonly called as Crescents or Crescent spots, has more than 10 species mainly in North Americas.




























References:

• Phyciodes (Wikipedia)
• Phyciodes phaon (Wikipedia)
• Record on iNaturalist

Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)

Ceraunus blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) is a butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is found in the southwestern United States, southern Texas, Florida.

Like most Lycaenidae members, the upperside of the males is light blue with a darker narrow border. Female are dark brown, often with blue wing bases.

The larvae feed on the flowers and seedpods of various woody legumes like Cassia and Abrus. Adults feed on flower nectar.

Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae)

The mallow skipper or Plain Marbled Skipper (Carcharodus alceae), is a butterfly of the skippers family (Hesperiidae).

This widespread and common species, can be found in most of southern and central Europe, in northern Africa, in the Middle East and all way to  northern India, in the Middle and Central Asia, in the western Himalayas and in the south of Western Siberia.

The scientific Latin species name alceae refers to the host plants Althaea, which, in turn, are named after the ancient Greek poet Alcaeus of Mytilene.

I met this one in Haifa, Israel.












References:

• Carcharodus alceae (wikipedia)
• iNaturalist record
• Carcharodus alceae (Butterflies of India)

Madagascar Black-Eye (Leptomyrina phidias)

Madagascar Black-Eye (Leptomyrina phidias) is a butterfly in the Lycaenidae family. It is found on Madagascar and Réunion. The habitat consists of rocky areas with rupicolous vegetation (growing on rocks) and anthropogenic environments.

I met this beauty in Andasibe Mantadia region. It was nice sunny morning with few showers here and there. After one such shower sun started shining and on the narrow rocky path, by side, I noticed this settling on fern for basking. It let me approach near and take a few pictures, but used to take off and settle near by again on fern.

References:

• Leptomyrina phidias
• iNaturalist record