Black-bordered Babul Blue butterfly

Afrikaans name: Doringboom-bloutjie

Photo © Steven Herbert

Azanus moriqua

The Black-bordered Babul Blue is a small butterfly with a wingspan of less than 2.5 cm. It is one of many similar butterflies and identification is difficult. They are bluish on the top side of their wings and white with black spots and marks on the underside.

These butterflies are normally found near to Acacia trees as these are their host plants. At times you will see quite large groups of them fluttering around a suitable host plant.

In South Africa the Black-bordered Babul Blue can be found in most areas except the drier areas of the West Coast and the Western Cape area.

It can be found on the wing all year round. It prefers parks and gardens, forest edges, coastal areas, hillsides and flat lands.

References and further reading

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 70

The Life Histories of the South African Lycaenid Butterflies - Author: GC Clark & CGC Dickson - Published: 1971 - Page: 96

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 97

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 330

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 316

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 49

For more info: The Virtual Museum

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