Dotted Blue

Afrikaans name: Spikkelbloutjie

Dotted Blue butterfly

Photo © Steven Herbert

Tarucus sybaris

The Dotted Blue butterfly can be found along the eastern and northern regions of South Africa. Although they can be seen all year round they are most common in summer.

They have a wingspan of around 2 cm or more. Males have bluish upper wings and white underwings with black bloches. They have a short streamer on their rear wings. Females are brown with white patches on their upperwings.

They are typically found in flat grassland but may also be on grassy hillsides and wetlands.

The larvae of the Dotted Blue feed on plants of the Zizphus genus.

Dotted Blue

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

The Life Histories of the South African Lycaenid Butterflies - Author: GC Clark & CGC Dickson - Published: 1971 - Page: 76

Whats That Butterfly - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2008 - Page: 1287

Ivor Migdolls Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 199

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 280

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 264

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 214

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 48

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