This is a smaller blue butterfly than that just described, measuring
about one inch across the wings. It is peculiar to the Islands, and
is known by some lovers of Entomology as the “Peak Blue.” It is not,
however, found on the Peak alone, but is netted in barrancos and
gardens at a much lower altitude; it frequents the pine forests in
large numbers, and has been also found on the south coast of the
Island of Teneriffe, at Guimar (see Appendix B), so it may be fairly
considered to be widely dispersed over the Island. It is undoubtedly
found in the greatest numbers in the elevated zone of the pine forests,
where, however, owing to the extremely slippery nature of the ground,
it is difficult to net. The male is of a beautiful metallic blue
colour; the female of a much browner blue. The upperside of the male,
and the underside of the female, are shown in the illustrations.
The fore-wings of the underside in both sexes are alike, being of an
orange tawny colour, with a white uneven spot on the top margin of
each wing, and five or six somewhat indistinct brown spots at the outer
edge, interspersed with white.
The hind-wings are of an ashy brown, with a longitudinal, irregular
silver white line down each, both wings being minutely dotted with
white. Five or six brown spots, dusted with silver, are seen at the
margin of the hind-wings. It usually appears in March, though it has
been seen at an earlier date. The larva and pupa have not hitherto been
found.