Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1
Cyclargus ammon
This record describes Cyclargus ammon (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dorsal, male blue with thin black border, and 2 black spots on trailing edge of HW, one capped with orange. Female blue with thick black border, 2 large black spots, one capped with orange. Similar to Miami Blue , but has 3 post-basal black spots instead of 4 that Miami has. 2 black spots on the outer HW, one capped with an orange bullet shape. Some authorities want to call this Acacia Blue, since it only feeds on Acacia in the Keys, and the Miami Blue only feeds on Nickerbean.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Polyommatinae
- Genus
- Cyclargus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Pine rocklands
Geographic Range
Florida Keys and Cuba
Seasonal Activity
All year with multiple broods.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Acacia
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cyclargus ammon. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , tom murray , Nick Block
Frequently Asked Questions About Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1
What is Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1?
Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 (Cyclargus ammon) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1?
Wingspan 20-22mm.
How do you identify Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1?
Dorsal, male blue with thin black border, and 2 black spots on trailing edge of HW, one capped with orange. Female blue with thick black border, 2 large black spots, one capped with orange. Similar to Miami Blue , but has 3 post-basal black spots instead of 4 that Miami has. 2 black spots on the outer HW, one capped with an orange bullet shape.
Where is Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pine rocklands |
| Range | Florida Keys and Cuba |
What does Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 eat?
The diet of the Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 includes Acacia.
When is Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1 active?
Nickerbean Blue - Hodges#4358.1: seasonal activity - All year with multiple broods..