Jamides phaseli

Description

Jamides phaseli, the dark cerulean, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Gervase Frederick Mathew in 1889. It is found in north-eastern Australia, from Cape York to south-eastern Queensland, as well as in the Northern Territory. It is also present on the Torres Strait Islands. The wingspan is about 25 mm. Males are deep blue with a black margin. There is a series of spots along the rear margin of the hindwings, including a prominent black spot at the tornus. Females are similar, but paler and with a wider black margin. Both sexes have a small tail on each hindwing. The larvae feed on the flower buds of Canavalia species (including Canavalia maritima and Canavalia rosea), Pongamia pinnata, Indigofera pratensis, Cajanus reticulatus and Phaseolus vulgaris. They are corrugated, and initially green. Later becoming brown, sometimes with dark stripes along the body. They reach a length of about 10 mm.