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Butterflies in the family Lycaenidae (pronounced "lye-SEE-nih-dee") are known as "blues," "hairstreaks" and "metalmarks."

Below: "Reakirt's Blue" (Hemiargus isola)

About 1/3 of all butterflies (about 6000 species) are lycaenids.

Below: "Siva Hairstreak" (Mitoura siva) note "hair" at bottom of hindwings.


Below: "Mexican Metalmark" (Apodemia mormo mejicana)

Of the 20% of lycaenids for which we have some life history information, about 75% are known to associate with ants in some way.

Photos from the Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona web site, courtesy of Bruce Walsh. Photographer: Charles Hedgcock