Candalides absimilis

Candalides absimilis (C.Felder, 1862)
(one synonym : Erina persimilis)
Pencilled Blue
CANDALIDINI , POLYOMMATINAE , LYCAENIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 17 June 2008)

This Caterpillar is green with a dark dorsal line and diagonal white marks along the sides. The head is brown. It feeds on the buds and young shoots of a variety of Australian native plants including :

Coral Trees ( Erythrina species, FABACEAE ),

Supplejack ( Flagellaria indica, FLAGELLARIACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ),

Tulipwood ( Harpullia pendula, SAPINDACEAE ), and

Kurrajong ( Brachychiton populneus, STERCULIACEAE ),

as well as the introduced :

Pudding Pie Tree ( Cassia fistula, CAESALPINIACEAE ),

False Acacia ( Robinia pseudacacia, FABACEAE ),

Sweet Wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis, FABACEAE ), and

Flamegold ( Koelreuteria elegans, SAPINDACEAE ).

The pupa is brown and has a length of about 1.5 cms. It is usually attached by the abdominal tip and a girdle to the food plant.

male (oops: lost an antenna)
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The male adults are grey-blue on top.

female
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The females are brown on top with a large white patch on each wing, and a purple sheen near the hinges.

(Photo: courtesy of the Bruce Anstee)

Underneath, they both are white with rows of fawn carets. The butterflies have a wing span of about 3 cms.

male: underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The species occurs along most of the east coast of Australia, including New South Wales, and Victoria.

female underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)