[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":345},["ShallowReactive",2],{"families_en:\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki":3,"alt-locale:families_en:\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki":287,"section-listing:disabled":301,"related-covers:en:":302,"section-listing:families_en:\u002Fsemeystva":303},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"coverImage":272,"description":273,"extension":274,"faq":275,"imagePrompt":285,"latinName":21,"meta":286,"navigation":287,"order":288,"pageType":289,"path":290,"publishedAt":291,"readingMinutes":292,"relatedLinks":293,"seo":294,"sitemap":297,"stem":299,"taxonRank":289,"updatedAt":298,"__hash__":300},"families_en\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki.md","Blues",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":253},"minimark",[9,14,29,32,36,47,53,63,69,75,79,95,98,108,117,126,133,136,145,154,165,172,182,189,205,209,216,219,230,234],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-are-blues","What are blues",[15,16,17,18,22,23,28],"p",{},"Blues (",[19,20,21],"em",{},"Lycaenidae",") are one of the largest families of day-flying butterflies: about 6,000 species worldwide, of which more than 150 occur in Russia. By species count they rank second only to ",[24,25,27],"a",{"href":26},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy","nymphalids",", and in many regions they exceed even them.",[15,30,31],{},"Despite their modest size, blues are a remarkably diverse group. They include species with metallic blue wings, copper-red coppers, and inconspicuous dull brown “brown blues” that are hard to tell apart without a magnifying glass.",[10,33,35],{"id":34},"characteristic-features","Characteristic features",[15,37,38,42,43,46],{},[39,40,41],"strong",{},"Small size."," Wingspan of most species is 2–4 cm. The smallest blues (small blues, ",[19,44,45],{},"Cupido",") are about 1.5 cm.",[15,48,49,52],{},[39,50,51],{},"Sexual dimorphism in coloration."," In most species males and females are colored very differently:",[54,55,56,60],"ul",{},[57,58,59],"li",{},"Males — intensely blue, violet-blue, or copper-red with a metallic sheen.",[57,61,62],{},"Females — brown or dull brown, often with a blue wing base or orange marginal spots.",[15,64,65,68],{},[39,66,67],{},"Underside of the wings."," The upperside is bright; the underside is cryptic: gray or beige with a characteristic pattern of dark spots in white rings and orange spots. Most species are identified from the underside.",[15,70,71,74],{},[39,72,73],{},"Fine tails."," Some species (hairstreaks, green hairstreaks) have thread-like “tails” on the hindwings — often mistaken for antennae, which confuses predators.",[10,76,78],{"id":77},"main-groups","Main groups",[80,81,83,84,87,88,87,91,94],"h3",{"id":82},"typical-blues-polyommatus-plebejus-lysandra","Typical blues (",[19,85,86],{},"Polyommatus",", ",[19,89,90],{},"Plebejus",[19,92,93],{},"Lysandra",")",[15,96,97],{},"Blue males, brown females. The most characteristic and numerous group. Common in Russia:",[15,99,100,103,104,107],{},[39,101,102],{},"Common blue"," (",[19,105,106],{},"Polyommatus icarus",") — one of the most widespread species. The male is bright blue with a white fringe; the female is brown with orange marginal spots. The underside is gray with spots and an orange spot. Found everywhere in meadows, road verges, and clearings. The caterpillar feeds on clover, alfalfa, and other legumes.",[15,109,110,103,113,116],{},[39,111,112],{},"Silver-studded blue",[19,114,115],{},"Plebejus argus",") — blue with a pronounced dark border. Orange marginal spots on the hindwings in both sexes. Lives on dry meadows and heathland.",[15,118,119,103,122,125],{},[39,120,121],{},"Mazarine blue",[19,123,124],{},"Polyommatus daphnis",") — larger than typical blues, with a toothed hindwing margin. A southern species.",[80,127,129,130,94],{"id":128},"coppers-lycaena","Coppers (",[19,131,132],{},"Lycaena",[15,134,135],{},"Copper-orange or fiery-red butterflies — sometimes called “fire butterflies,” though that confuses them with unrelated insects. Several species in Russia:",[15,137,138,103,141,144],{},[39,139,140],{},"Small copper",[19,142,143],{},"Lycaena phlaeas",") — orange-copper with dark spots and a gray underside. Widespread throughout Russia, very common. The caterpillar feeds on sorrel.",[15,146,147,103,150,153],{},[39,148,149],{},"Large copper",[19,151,152],{},"Lycaena dispar",") — larger than usual, the male bright orange without spots; protected in several European countries.",[80,155,157,158,87,161,164],{"id":156},"green-hairstreaks-callophrys-favonius-and-others","Green hairstreaks (",[19,159,160],{},"Callophrys",[19,162,163],{},"Favonius",", and others)",[15,166,167,168,171],{},"Small butterflies with a green underside — unique in the family. They fly in spring and early summer in woodland habitats. The purple hairstreak (",[19,169,170],{},"Favonius quercus",") is dark with a blue base in the male and occurs in oak woods.",[80,173,175,176,87,179,94],{"id":174},"myrmecophilous-blues-phengaris-maculinea","Myrmecophilous blues (",[19,177,178],{},"Phengaris",[19,180,181],{},"Maculinea",[15,183,184,185,188],{},"The most unusual group. Caterpillars of these species ",[39,186,187],{},"move into ant nests"," in late instars and complete development there, feeding on ant larvae or begging food from ants. Ants accept them because caterpillars mimic the smell and sounds of ant brood.",[15,190,191,192,196,197,200,201,204],{},"This group includes ",[24,193,195],{"href":194},"\u002Fen\u002Fvidy-babochek\u002Fredkie-babochki","rare species"," — large blue (",[19,198,199],{},"Phengaris arion",") and alcon blue (",[19,202,203],{},"Phengaris alcon","), listed in Russia’s Red Data Book.",[10,206,208],{"id":207},"where-and-when-to-find-blues","Where and when to find blues",[15,210,211,212,215],{},"Blues prefer ",[39,213,214],{},"open areas"," with varied herbage: meadows, steppes, forest edges, hillsides, road verges. Woodland species (hairstreaks) stay near tree canopies.",[15,217,218],{},"Most species fly from May through August; some have two generations. They are active on warm sunny days; males are often seen lekking on hilltops or in sunflecks.",[15,220,221,224,225,229],{},[39,222,223],{},"For identification",", photograph both the upper and lower sides of the wings: many species are indistinguishable without the underside. Use the ",[24,226,228],{"href":227},"\u002Fen\u002Fopredelitel\u002Fpo-cvetu-krylev","wing color identifier"," as a first step.",[10,231,233],{"id":232},"how-not-to-confuse-them-with-other-families","How not to confuse them with other families",[54,235,236,244,250],{},[57,237,238,239,243],{},"From ",[24,240,242],{"href":241},"\u002Fen\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy","satyrs",": blues are much smaller and lack large eyespots.",[57,245,238,246,249],{},[24,247,248],{"href":26},"checkerspots",": blues are not orange-patterned; blue males have a uniform or weakly spotted upperside.",[57,251,252],{},"From small whites: blues are not white or yellow.",{"title":254,"searchDepth":255,"depth":255,"links":256},"",2,[257,258,259,270,271],{"id":12,"depth":255,"text":13},{"id":34,"depth":255,"text":35},{"id":77,"depth":255,"text":78,"children":260},[261,264,266,268],{"id":82,"depth":262,"text":263},3,"Typical blues (Polyommatus, Plebejus, Lysandra)",{"id":128,"depth":262,"text":265},"Coppers (Lycaena)",{"id":156,"depth":262,"text":267},"Green hairstreaks (Callophrys, Favonius, and others)",{"id":174,"depth":262,"text":269},"Myrmecophilous blues (Phengaris, Maculinea)",{"id":207,"depth":255,"text":208},{"id":232,"depth":255,"text":233},"\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki.png","Blues (Lycaenidae) — small butterflies with blue, copper, or brown wings: one of the most species-rich families of day-flying butterflies.","md",[276,279,282],{"q":277,"a":278},"Why are male blues blue and females brown?","This is sexual dimorphism: males of many species are intensely blue or violet-blue because of structural reflectors in the scales that create a metallic sheen without pigment. Females are cryptically colored — brown or dull brown, making them less conspicuous when laying eggs.",{"q":280,"a":281},"Is it true that some blues live in ant nests?","Yes. Caterpillars of myrmecophilous blues (genera Phengaris, Maculinea) move into ant nests in late instars. There they feed on ant larvae or beg for food — ants accept them because the caterpillars mimic the smell and sounds of ant brood.",{"q":283,"a":284},"How do you identify a blue species?","Photograph both the upper and lower sides of the wings: most species cannot be told apart without the underside. On the underside, look at the pattern of spots in white rings, orange spots, and size. Close-up with a hand lens or macro photography greatly simplifies identification.","Photorealistic macro photo, Common Blue butterfly Polyommatus icarus male, brilliant iridescent blue wings fully open on clover flower, detailed wing venation and fringe, shallow depth of field with green bokeh, 16:9",{},true,4,"family","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fgolubyanki","01.05.2026",1,null,{"title":295,"description":296},"Blues (Lycaenidae) — small butterflies with blue wings","Blues — a family of small butterflies: blue males, coppers, hairstreaks. Identification, species descriptions, and habitats.",{"loc":290,"lastmod":298},"27.07.2026","semeystva\u002Fgolubyanki","LlN-hdEepzo-Q2PLlqvx1YYLMccjB5Jm3ECqml-rsCs",[],[],[304,309,314,319,320,326,333,339],{"title":305,"description":306,"path":307,"coverImage":308,"publishedAt":291,"order":292},"Nymphalidae","Nymphalidae — the largest family of day-flying butterflies: tortoiseshells, admirals, fritillaries, checkerspots, and satyrs.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fnimfalidy.png",{"title":310,"description":311,"path":312,"coverImage":313,"publishedAt":291,"order":255},"Swallowtails","Swallowtails (Papilionidae) — a family of large, striking butterflies: swallowtail, scarce swallowtail, Apollo, and clouded Apollo.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fparusniki.png",{"title":315,"description":316,"path":317,"coverImage":318,"publishedAt":291,"order":262},"Whites and sulphurs","Whites (Pieridae) — butterflies with white and yellow wings: large white, small white, brimstone, and black-veined white.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbelyanki","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbelyanki.png",{"title":5,"description":273,"path":290,"coverImage":272,"publishedAt":291,"order":288},{"title":321,"description":322,"path":323,"coverImage":324,"publishedAt":291,"order":325},"Satyrs","Satyrs (Satyrinae) — a nymphalid subfamily with characteristic eyespots. More than 2,400 species worldwide, many in temperate regions. Specialized on grasses.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fbarkhatnitsy.png",5,{"title":327,"description":328,"path":329,"coverImage":330,"publishedAt":331,"order":332},"Tiger Moths","Tiger moths (Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae) — brightly coloured night-flying moths with chemical defences and furry caterpillars. One of the largest moth families.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Ferebidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Ferebidae.png","20.07.2026",6,{"title":334,"description":335,"path":336,"coverImage":337,"publishedAt":331,"order":338},"Skippers","Skippers (Hesperiidae) — stocky butterflies with a large head and a darting flight, morphologically intermediate between typical butterflies and moths.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fhesperiidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fhesperiidae.png",7,{"title":340,"description":341,"path":342,"coverImage":343,"publishedAt":331,"order":344},"Giant Silk Moths","Giant silk moths (Saturniidae) — the world's largest moths, marked by eyespots on the wings. Adults do not feed and live only a few days.","\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fsaturniidae","\u002Fimages\u002Fsemeystva\u002Fsaturniidae.png",8,1787125907487]