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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Lampides boeticus
Long-tailed blue. Dimilia, August 2019.
Widely distributed in small numbers, often singles. Wingspan 30-35 mm. Underside of wings with mottled pattern uncharacteristic in blues. Upper side of wings predominantly purple blue in males, soft brown with some blue scales at base in females. Flies March to November in at least two generations. Diverse open habitats with flowers, including parks and gardens. When settled shuffles hind wings to move antennae-like tails in front of false eyes to divert attention of birds from actual head. Fast and somewhat erratic flight well above ground. Roaming behaviour. Migration tendency, but island population probably resident.
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