While deadheading a stand of Super Cosmos yesterday, I noticed something small and blue as I reached inside the leaves: a Cassius Blue Butterfly!! wow!! If not for the angle of sunlight passing through the wings, I might’ve missed my first sighting EVER of this beautiful, resting creature. I ran inside for my camera, hoping it wouldn’t fly off!
Leptotes cassius theonus, July 25, 2012 Vero Beach, FL
The wingspan of Leptotes Cassius measures less than an inch; such a tiny butterfly ❗
Both sexes share striped undersides with two eyespots on each hindwing. Females have wings that are bluish-white to white, with broad dark borders on the front and a dark spot on the rear margin of the hindwings. Based on these descriptions, I think I saw a female…you go, girl! (and right after these pics, she did 😯 )
In April, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Cassius Blue as a “threatened pollinator,” an action that allows state and federal governments to develop and implement species recovery plans. One of the best ways to improve butterfly survival rates (short of rounding up iguanas 😉 ) is by growing larval host plants, but I seem to have that covered:
Plumbago is a favorite host plant for Leptotes Cassius who deposit their larva inside
As you can see, I have Plumbago in spades 😉
Until next time….
ps. I hope you enjoyed this example of when outside is inside! Click the Zemanta links below to see other interpretations of the weekly challenge!
🙂 🙂
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13 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside”
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small house/BIG GARDEN 
Beautiful butterfly!
Thank you! It was such a kick seeing it sitting there!
I really enjoyed this post. The pictures of butterflies are really beautiful. Great work!
Hey, Arindam! Nice seeing a comment from you today! I’m glad you enjoyed the pics!
Gorgeous! I haven’t seen one like that in my backyard! Nice, too, that she sat around waiting until you got your camera. Very convivial. ; )
hello! And thanks for dropping in to comment 🙂
I like that word’ “convivial.” Will have to remember to use it more often!
Great photo and story for the theme. You truly found the beauty inside. 🙂
Thanks,E.C.! Digital sure make lucky moments.easier! 😉
Remember the old days of film cameras? Never would have gotten the shot if I’d had to find the camera, check its batteries, and then hope there was empty film inside!
Nice the see pics of the Butterflies in your garden. Sadly they are scarce in Ireland this year due to the bad Summer.
My daughter saw your “bad summer” first hand. She was in Galway for a few weeks in July and said it was colder/rainier/darker than previous summers she’s been there. Such a shame, especially when the season is already short!
Thanks so much for commenting and I’m glad you liked the pic!
Beautiful shots… 😉
Thank you! I’m happy I got them, as I’d never seen that type before (and haven’t seen it since!)
I wish I could grow plumbago. It looks gorgeous. Your pictures are beautiful. Do you set the topic for the weekly photo challenge? What a great idea.