Zizula cyna, the cyna blue, is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae.[1]

Zizula cyna
in Colombia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Zizula
Species:
Z. cyna
Binomial name
Zizula cyna
(Edwards, 1881)
Synonyms
  • Lycaena cyna Edwards, 1881
  • Lycaena tulliola Godman & Salvin, [1887]
  • Lycaena mela Strecker, 1900
  • Cupido mela (Strecker, 1900)
  • Hemiargus cyna (Edwards, 1881)
  • Everes tulliola (Godman & Salvin, [1887])
showing the variable spots

Distribution edit

The cyna blue is found from southern Texas, south through Mexico and Central America, to Argentina in South America.

They are usually found in subtropical areas and deserts.

Strays can be found up to northern Texas and Kansas, and southern Arizona.

Description edit

The wingspan of Zizula cyna is 16–22 mm (5/8–7/8 of an inch).

Its upper-side is a violet blue, while its underside is a pale gray covered in tiny black dots.

Adults are on wing from March to November.

Food

The larvae feed on flower buds of Acanthaceae species. Adults feed on flower nectar.

References edit

External links edit