Long-tailed Pea-blue, upper side. Note the slender ‘tails’ on the hindwing.
Photo: Euan Moore
Long-tailed Pea-blue, under side. The broad white band and the two spots on the hindwing are characteristic.
Photo: Euan Moore
Scientific Name: Lampides boeticus
Other Common Names: Pea Blue, Tailed Blue, Long-tailed Blue
Family of Butterflies: Lycaenidae (Blues and Coppers)
Wingspan: 25mm males, 27mm females
Local records: There are records from across our region on iNaturalist and Atlas of Living Australia. It is moderately common in our region.
| Tony Morton’s records of Long-tailed Pea-blue from the local area (2000 to 2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Notes |
| 25-Nov-2012 | Tower, Tunnel Hill Tk., Elphinstone | |
| 31-Oct-2012 | Kalimna Point, Castlemaine | |
| 30-Oct-2012 | The Monk, Chewton | |
| 11-Sep-2012 | Kalimna Park | |
| 18-Nov-2011 | Kalimna Point, Castlemaine | |
| 14-Oct-2011 | Kalimna Point, Castlemaine | |
| 1-Nov-2006 | Kalimna Point, Castlemaine | |
| 21-Sep-2005 | Kalimna Park | |
| 28-Nov-2002 | Kalimna Point, Castlemaine | |
| 10-Jan-2001 | Rotunda & Ridge, Kalimna Park | |
| 14-Nov-2000 | Rotunda, Kalimna Park | |
| 8-Nov-2000 | Rotunda, Kalimna Park | |
| 12-Oct-2000 | Rotunda, Kalimna Park | |
| 12-Oct-2000 | Gully, Chewton/Fryerstown Road | |
Distribution outside our region: There are scattered records from across most of Victoria, excluding alpine areas and much of east Gippsland. This species has been reported from all states of Australia. Ref: Atlas of Living Australia. Globally its range extends from NZ and the pacific islands across southern Asia, Europe and much of Africa. iNaturalist.
Larval Host Plants: Plants from the family Fabaceae, both native and introduced, including gardens peas, beans, and Montpeillier Broom (Genista monspessulana).
Larval association with ants: Ants from the genera Iridomyrmex, Froggattella or Campanotus.
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: It is believed that at least two generations are completed each year, and possibly three in some areas. Relatively high numbers of adults seen in flight in Victoria from September to March, but with some seen from August to May.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Conservation Significance
Other Notes: Probably common in the Mount Alexander Shire, including within urban gardens. Larvae are often attended by ants from one of the following genera: Iridomyrmex, Froggattella or Camponotus. (Field 2013).
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia – Lampides boeticus, Long-tailed pea-blue.
iNaturalist – Lampides boeticus, Long-tailed pea-blue
Braby, Michael F., Second edition 2016. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing.
Field, Ross P., 2013. Butterflies: Identification and Life History. Museum Victoria