Common Grass-blue, upper surface of wings.
Photo: Euan Moore
Common Grass-blue, under surface of wings. The intensity of pattern is quite variable.
Photo: Euan Moore
Scientific Name: Zizina otis subsp. labradus
Other Common Names: Clover Blue, Common Blue
Family of Butterflies: Lycaenidae (Blues and Coppers)
Wingspan: 20-23mm
Museum specimens.
Photo: Tony Morton
Note 1: The upper side of the butterfly wings are shown on the left and the underside side of the butterfly wings are shown on the right. Males and females are similar, although females have broader brown margins on wings.
Note 2: The plant name on the bottom right refers to the plants upon which the butterfly larvae
(caterpillars) feed.
Note 3: Revisions to the taxonomy have seen the scientific name for this species changed from
Zizina labradus to Zizina otis ssp. labradus which is the Australian subspecies.
Local Records: There are records for this species on Atlas of Living Australia and numerous records on iNaturalist from across our region. It is a common species.
| Tony Morton’s documented records of Common Grass-blue from the local area (2000 to 2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Notes |
| 10-Jan-2013 | Vaughan garden | |
| 24-Nov-2012 | JML’s garden Fryerstown | |
| 21-Nov-2012 | Vaughan garden | |
| 30-Oct-2012 | JML’s garden Fryerstown | |
| 11-Sep-2012 | Kalimna Park | |
| 5-Dec-2009 | Vaughan walk | 11.30 – 1.30p.m. |
| 11-Nov-2009 | Kalimna Park | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 34ºC |
| 7-Nov-2009 | Vaughan walk | |
| Between Jan 2005 & Oct 2006 | Kalimna Park | |
| 4-Dec-2003 | Irishtown Track, Irishtown | |
| 17-Oct-2003 | Vaughan | |
| 19-Sep-2003 | Vaughan walk | |
| 25-Sep-2001 | Vaughan | |
| 9-Dec-2000 | The Monk, Chewton | |
| 8-Oct-2000 | Vaughan | |
| 22-Apr-2000 | Vaughan | |
| 29-Feb-2000 | Vaughan walk | |
Distribution outside our region: Outside our area this species is found across most of Victoria. Outside of Victoria the range extends across much of Australia (Atlas of Living Australia), New Zealand, north of approximately 43o south, and islands of the South-west Pacific, iNaturalist. Other subspecies occur across South Asia and Africa, iNaturalist.
Larval Host Plants: Native and introduced legumes, including medics, clovers, garden peas and beans.
Larval association with ants: Larvae are sometimes attended by ants from the genera Iridomyrmex, Rhytedoponera or Tapinoma.
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: Adults have been recorded throughout the year in Victoria, although
mostly from October to April when the host plants are flowering. There can be several generations
completed each year.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Conservation Significance
Other Notes: This is one of the most widespread and common butterflies in the region occurring in urban gardens and agricultural areas. There is quite a bit of variation in the intensity of the markings on the underwings and the amount and intensity of blue on the upperwings.
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia – Zizina otis Common Grass-blue
iNaturalist – Zizina otis Common Grass-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.