Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyLycaenidae
HabitatDeserts, brushland, and gardens of the Southwest
SeasonFlies most of the year in Texas
LocationFort Davis, Texas, Jeff Davis County, Texas
Size0.75-1.1 inch wingspan
DietCaterpillars eat legume flowers, especially mesquite and plumbago
ConservationNot evaluated; common
CameraNikon Z9Lens400mmAperturef/8Shutter1/1250ISO720
Marine Blue flashing lavender in the desert sun - Fort Davis.
About the Marine Blue
The Marine Blue is a small butterfly with an identity crisis: the upperside flashes soft lavender-blue, while the underside is covered in zebra stripes of tan and cream that make it instantly recognizable when perched.
A desert and brushland butterfly at heart, it thrives wherever mesquite and other legumes bloom, and it wanders widely, sometimes far north of its core range.
This one was photographed near Fort Davis in the Trans-Pecos, flashing lavender in the late-afternoon desert sun.
Want to see a Marine Blue in the wild?
Join one of my guided birding tours! Fine art prints of my photos are also available.
Join one of my guided birding tours! Fine art prints of my photos are also available.
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