Zebra Blues are small (wingspan 20-30 mm) low-flying butterflies in the Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Butterflies), subfamily Polyommatinae (Blues, Bronzes, Hairstreaks etc.). Blues are tiny to small butterflies, many of which have brilliant blue uppersides (although some are dull grey or brown). 

The image with upper sides shows a pair in courtship mode prior to mating. Male Zebra Blues (left) are shiny blue above and differ from their females (right) which have a checkerboard pattern of grey on a white and blue ground. The undersides have irregular grey stripes on a white ground, resulting in their common name. Like many Lycaenidae they have short hindwing tails positioned next to prominent eyespots (particularly on the underside) that create a predator-confusing ‘false head’ effect.

There are four species of Leptotes Zebra Blue. Common Zebra Blue Leptotes pirithous, Short-toothed Zebra Blue L. brevidentatus, Jeannel’s Zebra Blue L. jeanneli, and Babault’s Zebra Blue L. babaulti, which have identical wing markings to one another. The only way to tell them apart is to dissect them and that means killing the butterfly. Who wants to do that? Most of the ones we see are the Common Zebra Blue; it really is just that; common!

Males choose a perch on top of a bush or on a prominent rock and fly off to chase other butterflies. They settle often and readily open their wings to reveal the upper side. They also like to sit on damp earth and mud, sucking up dissolved minerals. They may also suck nutrients from old bones or carnivore dung. Females are found close to the host plants or on flowers.