The Gram Blue

Euchrysops cnejus

Description

Euchrysops cnejus males have pale purple upper wings with orange spots on space 1b and 2 hind wings, while females are pale blue shining in base areas, brown outlines on both wings and hind wings have submarginal spots that are prominent and bordered by dark lines. The underside is gray-brown in color with a series of pale brown marginal, submarginal and post-discal spots. On the hind wings there are three black spots in the basal area, one black spot on the costal and two crowned orange tornal spots in chambers 1b and 2, having a white tipped tail at the tip of vein 1b.

Larva: Euchrysops cnejus larvae are yellowish green in color with a dark, narrow dorsal band bordered by white bands on both sides. Widened in cylindrical shape, the surface of the body is covered with short and smooth white setae.

Pupa: Euchrysops cnejus pupae are yellowish green in color with small black spots on the surface of the body arranged symmetrically around the dorsal line. It is typically lycaenid in shape and has short, smooth white setae on the anterior end and body.

Population Size

-

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

Wingspan from 20 - 26 mm.

Ar

Arboreal

He

Herbivore

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Arthropoda

CLASS

:

Insecta

ORDER

:

Lepidoptera

FAMILY

:

Lycaenidae

GENUS

:

Euchrysops

SPECIES

:

Euchrysops cnejus

Distribution

Euchrysops cnejus can be found in tropical rainforest areas and parks, this species likes humid areas.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : Euchrysops cnejus is scattered in India, the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia).

Habits and Lifestyle

Euchrysops cnejus is often seen basking on leaves with open wings in the morning and evening, besides that it also has the habit of visiting flowers of various weeds to get nectar.

Lifestyle

Arboreal

Biome

Tropical rain forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Euchrysops cnejus larvae feed on the young leaves, pods and flowers of their host plants, namely Pueraria phaseoloides and Vigna reflexopilosa.

Diet : Herbivore (larva), Nectarivore

Mating Habits

Euchrysops cnejus reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous), the eggs are laid individually in young shoots or flower buds of the host plant. Eggs are whitish in color with a greenish hue, are discoid shaped, the surface is covered with a fine pattern.

Life cycle (Metamorfosis) : Euchrysops cnejus caterpillar passes through 4 instars before pupating, its body is green or pale yellowish green. The pupa phase can occur in confined places such as leaf litter, the pupa is yellowish green with dark brown spots, the body is protected by a silk belt. After 6-6.5 days, the butterflies emerge from the pupa.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: 2,5 days

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : –

Population

Population status : Not Evaluated (NE)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Khoon, S. 2010. A Field Guide to The Butterflies of Singapore. Ink On Paper Communications, Singapore.
  2. Tan, H. and Khoon, K.S. 2012. Caterpillars of Singapore’s Butterflies. National Park Board, Singapore.
  3. Life History of The Gram Blue article 
  4. Euchrysops cnejus Fabricus, 1798 article 
  5. Euchrysops cnejus on Wikipedia article