About Udara blackburni (Tuely, 1878)
Udara blackburni, more commonly known as Blackburn’s blue butterfly, is a small butterfly species with a wingspan of approximately one inch. The upper surfaces of its wings are blue; this butterfly often perches with its wings folded closed, which exposes the green undersides of its wings. Adult butterflies feed on flower nectar using a long, coiled proboscis. Caterpillars of this species feed primarily on the Koa tree, and will occasionally feed on ʻaʻaliʻi, olomea, and māmaki plants instead. This species is endemic to Hawaiʻi. It has been recorded on the Hawaiian islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. Among the main Hawaiian Islands, Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe are the only two that have no recorded sightings of this butterfly.
