Zizeeria knysna
The African Grass Blue, or Sooty Blue, Butterfly, is common and widespread in every corner of South Africa. Furthermore, they’re found throughout the rest of our continent, in Arabia, Cyprus and Spain. It occurs in every habitat, from desert to forest, and is one of the most abundant butterflies on suburban lawns, having a special fondness for open grassy areas. Adults are on the wing throughout the year and have a wingspan of only about 2-2.5cm.
African Grass Blue
African Grass Blue butterfly
African Grass Blue
Sooty Blue butterfly
Sooty Blue butterfly
Sooty Blue butterfly
African Grass Blue butterfly
African Grass Blue butterfly
African Grass Blue butterfly
African Grass Blue butterfly
DeWetsWild 
Tiny but lovely – and quite hard to photograph on account of their small size.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’d make it easier if they don’t flit around quite so often! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an interesting and beautifully illustrated post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Anne!
LikeLike
Nice collection of images. I find the coloration of this species interesting. In my totally uninformed opinion, I am of the impression that butterfly wing patterns are either designed to blend into their environment, or to imitate larger and scarier animals to ward off their predators.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one’s colouration really comes into its own when you see them fluttering low and erratically across the lawn with fast wing beats, John – they disappear in plain sight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool!
LikeLike
Small butterflies such as this African Grass Blue seem to do well in their environment. I wonder if it is because they don’t have to expend so much energy looking for food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve actually watched them flitting above the lawn for extraordinary lengths of time, never sitting still, and wondered where exactly they get the food to sustain that level of energy as there was not a bloom in sight!
LikeLike
Hi de Wets Wild!
Thank you for all your wonderful posts!
This particular butterfly has I think at least a cousin in the United States, called the Echo Blue Butterfly (Celastrina argiolus). 🙂
Blessings and OhWhooop! (<– = Spotted Hyena contact call)
"Cap'n" Toni with my Pups Lady Coco, Maya and Carly, and All the Animal-Kids of the lil Haus….
Pennsylvania, USA….
LikeLike
Welcome here, “Cap’n” Toni, and thank you for introducing us to the Celastrina argiolus – the familiar resemblance certainly is clear!
LikeLike
Dankie Dries, ek leer weer baie by jou!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Altyd lekker as jy kom kuier, Dina – dankie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pretty little thing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain’t they!?
LikeLiked by 1 person