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06 July 2024

African babul blue – Talea Valley

The  African babul blue is the commoner and larger of the babul blue butterflies with a wingspan of 18-28 mm, females are typically larger and a light bluish-brown while males are a pale lilac-blue. The African babul prefers drier habitats, such as coastal areas, river valleys, grasslands, stony hillsides, steppe, and semi-desert. Host plants are represented by members of the acacia family (Mimosaceae), as well as medicks (Medicago spp.). It occurs in Morroco and in non-European Africa, in the Middle East and in India. The distribution of the dark, branded spots on the underside hindwing is unique. Neither sex has a tail. This species flies March through August, the flight is active and close to the ground.