Moonlight Jewel
Hypochrysops delicia delicia
Also called Blue Jewel, Moonlight Blue
Hypochrysops delicia delicia is a subspecies of the Moonlight Jewel (Hypochrysops delicia), a butterfly found in Australia, in the family Lycaenidae, the blues, coppers and hairstreaks. Its caterpillars are known to feed on 15 plants, including Acacia mearnsii, Acacia decurrens and Acacia pycnantha. This page has 14 photos of its life cycle (final instar caterpillars, pupae and adults) by Bob Miller. Bob Miller wrote about it in his book, Bob's Butterflies.
Life cycle of the Moonlight Jewel
Moonlight Jewel caterpillars (final instar)
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Side view -
Top view -
Side view -
Top view
Moonlight Jewel pupae
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Side view -
Top view
Moonlight Jewel adults
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Male, upperside -
Male, underside -
Female, upperside -
Female, underside -
Male, upperside -
Male, underside -
Female, upperside -
Female, underside
Photos by Bob Miller. Free to use for any purpose (CC0). Select a photo to enlarge it or download the original. Using these photos. Add your own photo of this butterfly.
In Bob's book
Bob wrote about this butterfly in his book:
- Moonlight Jewel page 51
Caterpillar food plants
15 known food plants for this species.