Those Jewels

These three common species of lycaenids were found at the same patch of yellow creeping daisy in an urban area. Small, common and humble as these butterflies are, they nevertheless possess a delicate beauty seen in their intricate patterns and shimmering colours.


Cycad Blue, Chilades pandava pandava.


A male Lesser Grass Blue, Zizina otis lampa basking in the sunlight. This beautiful male was particularly boisterous, looking for potential mates almost constantly and stopping to rest only for brief periods of time.


Another Lesser Grass Blue.



The Pygmy Grass Blue, Zizula hylax pygmea. This is the smallest butterfly found in the region; it is really tiny, with a forewing length of approximately 5mm or slightly more.

Their scientific names are so colourful