What is marbled blue?

Marbled blue refers to a type of butterfly that belongs to the family of Lycaenidae. The scientific name of the marbled blue is Maculinea alcon, and it is predominantly found in Europe.

The marbled blue butterfly has powdery blue wings marked with black spots. The underside of the wings is lighter in color with darker spots. It has a wingspan of about 28-35 mm.

The butterfly feeds on the nectar of various flowering plants, such as thistles, knapweed, and clover. Its larvae feed solely on the flowers of wild thyme which grows in alpine meadows.

The marbled blue butterfly is a specialist species, meaning it is dependent on a specific plant and habitat type for survival. Due to changes in land use, agricultural practices, and habitat loss, the population of the marbled blue butterfly is declining.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the butterfly by protecting its habitat, reintroducing it into suitable locations, and promoting sustainable land use practices.