Family LYCAENIDAE (3/3)
Last Updated: August 17, 2003

Maculinea teleius (Bergstrasser, 1779)

Japanese name: Goma-shijimi
English name: Scarce Large Blue
Single-brooded and occurs from central Europe to eastern Asia.
This butterfly lives most of its life, from the last instar larval stage until the emergence from pupa, in the nest of ants.
This species has wide range of geographical variations, blue type, black type, etc.
"Goma" means sesame.

Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Male (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU90M.JPG (11KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Male (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU91M.JPG (17KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Male (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU95M.JPG (21KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Female (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU96M.JPG (28KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Female (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU97M.JPG (14KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Female (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU98M.JPG (25KB)
Kamikuisshiki-mura, Nishiyatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi.
August 9, 1998.
Female (black type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AU00M.JPG (28KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU33M.JPG (27KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Male (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU35M.JPG (23KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU37M.JPG (30KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU39M.JPG (23KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU43M.JPG (34KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU46M.JPG (20KB)
Hosakamachi, Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi.
August 23, 1997.
Female (blue type).
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU47M.JPG (25KB)


Maculinea arionides (Staudinger, 1887)

Japanese name: O-o-goma-shijimi
English name:
Single-brooded and distributed in NE Asia.
"O-o" means large.

Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 2, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au01m.jpg (149KB) Close-up: n03au01l.jpg (123KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 2, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au02m.jpg (122KB) Close-up: n03au02l.jpg (142KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 2, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au03m.jpg (115KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au04m.jpg (119KB) Close-up: n03au04l.jpg (135KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au05m.jpg (140KB) Close-up: n03au05l.jpg (206KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au06m.jpg (118KB) Close-up: n03au06l.jpg (172KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au07m.jpg (143KB) Close-up: n03au07l.jpg (192KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au08m.jpg (143KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au09m.jpg (130KB) Close-up: n03au09l.jpg (179KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au10m.jpg (130KB) Close-up: n03au10l.jpg (137KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au11m.jpg (100KB) Close-up: n03au11l.jpg (98KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata
Kamitakara-mura, Yoshiki-gun, Gifu.
August 10, 2003. Photo by T. Nagata.
n03au12m.jpg (151KB) Close-up: n03au12l.jpg (142KB)
Copyright (c) 2003 Takashi Nagata


Everes argiades (Pallas, 1771)

Japanese name: Tsubame shijimi
English name:
This species is said to be very close to Everes comyntas, Eastern tailed blue, in North America.
"Tsubame" in Japanese name means swallow.

Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
July 5, 1997.
Summer form, female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JL27M.JPG (25KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
July 5, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JL33M.JPG (29KB)
Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
May 25, 1996.
Spring form, female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96MY80M.JPG (21KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
Spring form, female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN04M.JPG (14KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN10M.JPG (20KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN13M.JPG (24KB)


Tongeia fischeri (Eversmann, 1843)

Japanese name: Kuro-tsubame-shijimi
English name:
Distributed in the northern part of Asia.

Minami-shinano-mura, Nagano.
May 25, 2002.

Photo by T. Kumon. t02my81m.jpg (69KB)
Minami-shinano-mura, Nagano.
May 25, 2002.

Photo by T. Kumon. t02my82m.jpg (74KB)
Minami-shinano-mura, Nagano.
May 25, 2002.

Photo by T. Kumon. t02my84m.jpg (34KB)


Zizeeria maha (Kollar, [1844])

Japanese name: Yamato-shijimi
English name:
One of the most common butterflies in Japan. Widespread in Asia. This species occurs several times a year.
"Yamato" is the ancient name of Japan.

Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC48M.JPG (29KB)
Okura-cho, Niihama-shi, Ehime.
September 15, 1996.
Still sleeping early in the morning.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96SP38E.JPG (25KB)
Ohyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
November 14, 1998.
Mating.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98NO14M.JPG (20KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
May 7, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97MY08M.JPG (33KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
May 7, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97MY11M.JPG (34KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
April 16, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP61M.JPG (26KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
April 16, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP64M.JPG (32KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
April 16, 1997.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP65M.JPG (14KB)
Okura-cho, Niihama-shi, Ehime.
September 14, 1996.

Photo by T. Kumon. T96SP07M.JPG (11KB)
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
May 24, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96MY65M.JPG (22KB)


Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1787)

Japanese name: Shirubia-shijimi
English name: Common Grass Blue
Wide-spread species ranges from Africa to Asia and Australia.

Tatomi-cho, Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi.
September 1, 2001.

Photo by T. Kumon. T01SP07M.JPG (36KB)
Tatomi-cho, Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi.
September 1, 2001.

Photo by T. Kumon. T01SP08M.JPG (35KB)


Lycaeides subsolanus (Eversmann, 1851)

Japanese name: Asama-shijimi
English name:
Single-brooded and occurs in eastern Asia. This butterfly has very wide range of both local and individual variation. There are several subspecies which used to be thought as different species.
"Asama" is the name of a mountain.

Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl12m.jpg (81KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl14m.jpg (45KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl15m.jpg (38KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl16m.jpg (37KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl18m.jpg (43KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl19m.jpg (41KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl23m.jpg (57KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl73m.jpg (47KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.

Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl74m.jpg (32KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Mating pair.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl77m.jpg (26KB)
Kita-aiki-mura, Minami-saku-gun, Nagano.
July 7, 2002.
Mating pair.
Photo by T. Kumon. t02jl78m.jpg (29KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL99M.JPG (25KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLB2M.JPG (24KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLB3M.JPG (29KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLC1M.JPG (34KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLC3M.JPG (24KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLC5M.JPG (31KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JLC7M.JPG (24KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano,
Japan. July 14, 1996.
Male, almost black but not female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL60M.JPG (16KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Male, same butterfly as T96JL60M.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL61M.JPG (14KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL66M.JPG (22KB)


Lycaeides argyrognomon (Bergstrasser, 1779)

Japanese name: Miyama-shijimi
English name: Northern Blue (Reverdin's Blue)
This species ia said to occur from Asia to Europe and North America. In Japan this species can be found only in middle and eastern part of Honshu. This species is multi-brooded and we can see this butterfly from late spring to fall.
"Miyama" means the depth of mountains, but the altitude where this species occurrs is not so high.

Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
July 5, 1997.
Larva with an ant.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JL28M.JPG (24KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
July 5, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JL34M.JPG (17KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
July 5, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JL36M.JPG (24KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
August 17, 1996.
female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96AU62M.JPG (20KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
August 17, 1996.
female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96AU63M.JPG (13KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN23M.JPG (13KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN24M.JPG (11KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN25M.JPG (14KB)
Ohata, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
June 1, 1996.
female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN28M.JPG (13KB)


Plebejus argus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Japanese name: Hime-shijimi
English name: Silver-Studded Blue
Single-brooded and occurs from Europe to eastern Asia. This butterfly used to be very common and could be seen in a numerous number in a grassy plain in mountain area. It seems the number is decresing.
"Hime" means little princess.

Kamikochi, Azumi-mura, Minamiazumi-gun, Nagano.
July 10, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL12M.JPG (27KB)
Kamikochi, Azumi-mura, Minamiazumi-gun, Nagano.
July 10, 1999.
A male right and a female left.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL16M.JPG (28KB)
Kamikochi, Azumi-mura, Minamiazumi-gun, Nagano.
July 10, 1999.
Two males and a female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL18M.JPG (38KB)
Kamikochi, Azumi-mura, Minamiazumi-gun, Nagano.
July 10, 1999.
Two males and a female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL19M.JPG (35KB)
Mt.Haruna, Gunma-gun, Gunma.
August 2, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU01M.JPG (22KB)
Mt.Haruna, Gunma-gun, Gunma.
August 2, 1997.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU25M.JPG (19KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL57M.JPG (14KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL59M.JPG (21KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL62M.JPG (15KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL63M.JPG (17KB)
Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano.
July 14, 1996.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JL64M.JPG (20KB)


Acytolepis puspa (Horsfield, [1828])

Japanese name: Yakushima-ruri-shijimi
English name:
Wide-spread in Southern Asia.
"Yakushima" is the name of an island south of Kyushu.

Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de45m.jpg (42KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de46m.jpg (45KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de48m.jpg (43KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de49m.jpg (40KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de54m.jpg (64KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de58m.jpg (27KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de61m.jpg (28KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.

Photo by T. Kumon. t01de62m.jpg (42KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.

Photo by T. Kumon. t01de63m.jpg (50KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
An egg.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de64m.jpg (32KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
A larva.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de66m.jpg (63KB)
Koza-cho, Wakayama.
December 9, 2001.
An egg.
Photo by T. Kumon. t01de68m.jpg (29KB)


Celastrina sugitanii (Matsumura, 1919)

Japanese name: Sugitani-ruri-shijimi
English name:
This species occurs in Japan, Korean Peninsula, and China.
Single-brooded in Japan and can be seen only in spring.
Sugutani is the name of the person who found this butterfly.

 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo.
April 11, 1998.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AP11M.JPG (38KB)
 Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo.
April 11, 1998.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98AP13M.JPG (34KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
April 26, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP68M.JPG (32KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
April 26, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP69M.JPG (24KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
April 26, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP71M.JPG (27KB)
Takabatake, Tsuru-shi, Yamanashi.
April 26, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AP72M.JPG (34KB)


Celastrina argiolus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Japanese name: Ruri-shijimi
English name: Holly blue (Spring azure)
Quite common in Japan. We can see this butterfly from spring to fall.
"Ruri" in Japanese name means bright blue color.

Minoto, Chino-shi, Nagano.
July 17, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99JL83M.JPG (28KB)
Ashiyasu-mura, Nakakoma-gun,Yamanashi.
September 5, 1998.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98SP19M.JPG (22KB)
Mt.Haruna, Gunma-gun, Gunma.
August 2, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97AU18M.JPG (18KB)
Tajima, Urawa-shi, Saitama.
June 21, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JM91M.JPG (24KB)
Tajima, Urawa-shi, Saitama.
June 21, 1997.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T97JM92M.JPG (24KB)
Kurokawa, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa.
April 21, 1996.
Spring form, female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96AP06M.JPG (21KB)
Uenohara-cho, Yamanashi.
June 29, 1996.
Male, absorbing water at puddle.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN56M.JPG (16KB)
Uenohara-cho, Yamanashi.
June 29, 1996.
Four males drinking water, not beer.
Photo by T. Kumon. T96JN66M.JPG (16KB)


Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Japanese name: Uranami shijimi
English name: Long Tailed Blue (Pea Blue)
Wide-spread species from Africa to Asia, Australia, and Hawaii.
"Uranami" in Japanese name is derived from the wave pattern of the underside of its wings.

Yoyogi (Yoyogi El.), Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC29M.JPG (27KB)
Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC33M.JPG (46KB)
Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC52M.JPG (23KB)
Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC54M.JPG (20KB)
Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
October 3, 1999.
Eggs.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99OC60M.JPG (22KB)
Yoyogi (Yoyogi Park), Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
September 3, 1999.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99SP24M.JPG (28KB)
Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
September 3, 1999.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T99SP25M.JPG (23KB)
Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa.
October 25, 1998.
Mating.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98OC10M.JPG (33KB)
Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa.
October 25, 1998.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98OC11M.JPG (34KB)
Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa.
October 25, 1998.
Male.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98OC12M.JPG (33KB)
Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa.
October 25, 1998.
Female.
Photo by T. Kumon. T98OC14M.JPG (21KB)
Okura-cho, Niihama-shi, Ehime.
September 15, 1996.

Photo by T. Kumon. T96SP53M.JPG (23KB)