Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) - 吉 灰 蝶 - Dark Grass Blue

Pseudozizeeria maha (Kollar, 1884) - 酢 漿 灰 碟 - Pale Grass Blue

Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1878) - 毛 眼 灰 蝶 - Lesser Grass Blue

* measures the distance between the 2 apexes (tips) of wings.

Superficial difference for adult butterfly

GENERAL - There are many small and inconspicuous Lycaenids ( tiny blues) in Hong Kong. However, these 3 Zizeeria karsandra 吉灰蝶 Dark Grass Blue, Pseudozizeeria maha 酢漿灰碟 Pale Grass Blue and Zizina otis 毛眼灰蝶 Lesser Grass Blue are most commonly found throughout the year. Other similar blues Celastrina lavendularis (Moore) 熏衣琉璃灰蝶, Udara albocaerulea (Moore) 白斑嫵灰蝶 and Udara dilecta (Moore) 珍貴嫵灰蝶, though a bit larger are rarely encountered. They are found in secluded areas and may only have one or two generations in a year.

They prefer open grassland and fly close to the ground. They tend to settle frequently on top of leaves with its wings folded upwards and will not fly far even if disturbed. They like sunbathing in the cool morning. They feed readily on flowers. They are mostly neglected.

Location sighted - throughout Hong Kong particularly rural villages in the New Territories.

(Prepared by J. J. Young)

This page was created on 26th March 2001 and last updated on 26th March 2001

©2004 Hong Kong Lepidopterists' Society Limited