Seq # 460065010

Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767) Species

Last modified: Oct. 4, 2025, 3:11 p.m.


New to Belgium in 2025 in VB.


Details

Classification
Family: Lycaenidae > Subfamily: Polyommatinae > Tribus: Polyommatini > Genus: Leptotes > Species: Leptotes pirithous
Vernacular names
Klein tijgerblauwtje (NL), Lang's Short Tailed Blue (EN), Azuré de Lang, Le petit Azuré porte-queue, l'Azuré de la Luzerne (FR), Kleiner Wanderbläuling (DE)
Status

Migrant

A widespread and migratory species, so it can turn up anywhere, but it is rare north of the Mediterranean region.


Distribution


Imago

Wingspan males 21–29 mm, females 24–30 mm. Hindwing with a small tail, bordered by two black spots, and a distinctive brown mottled pattern with numerous sinuous white lines on the underside of the hindwing.
The male is blue-colored above with a thin dark border on the forewings. The female is brown above with blue wing bases and large, darker brown spots on the forewings.

Museum specimens

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Specimens in nature

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Flight periods

Adults can be seen from February to October in warmer regions, more frequently in late summer and autumn.


Observed on

Host plant (species):
Medicago sativa

The polyphagous larvae feed on different species of Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Plumbaginaceae.

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Habitat

It prefers warm, open, dry places, flower meadows, cultivated fields, and wasteland.

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