91. Zizula hylax hylax (The Tiny Grass Blue)

Number: 91

Family: Lycaeniidae
Sub-Family: Polyommatiinae

Species: Zizula hylax hylax (Fabricius, 1775)

Common name(s): The Tiny Grass Blue, The Pygmy Grass Blue

Photography location: Van Long N.R. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

Zizula hylax can be to distinguish from the other "Grass Blues" (genera Zizula, Zizeeria, Zizina) by its unique arrangement of spots.  Below, the FW shows sub-apical spot typically ‘U’ shaped and  two costal spots, whilst the post-discal spots on the underside of the HW are aligned.

Like other Grass Blues, Zizula hylax usually flies erratically very close to the ground, amongst shrubbery in urban gardens, open wastelands or roadside verges, and is sometimes abundant. 

Note the two costal spots (1) and the postdiscal spot ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped (2)

With a wingspan of only 14-16mm, Zizula hylax is probably the smallest butterfly in Vietnam