Candalides acasta

Candalides acasta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Candalides
Species:	C. acasta
Binomial name
Candalides acasta (Cox, 1873)[1]
Synonyms
Lycaena acasta Cox, 1873 Holochila anita Semper, [1879] Lycaena moerens Rosenstock, 1885 Lycaena canescens Miskin, 1890 Erina acasta

Candalides acasta, the blotched blue, is a species of butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found in southern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.^[2]

The wingspan is about 20 mm. Adults are brown with a blue sheen. The underside is fawn with brown shading and rows of dark dashes.

The larvae have been recorded feeding inside the flower buds of Cassytha species, including Cassytha glabella, Cassytha filiformis, Cassytha peninsularis and Cassytha pubescens. They are green with yellow lines. The pupa is narrow and brown with a few black spots.

References

1. Australian Faunal Directory
2. Candalides acasta at Australian Caterpillars and Their Butterflies and Moths