Pic: Anish Andheria

This small butterfly is named Zebra Blue Butterfly because it has a zebra pattern on its underside. The upperside of the male of this species is blue with a brush of purple, while the female is markedly different with checkered patches on its forewings.

A nectar lover that is attracted to small wild flowers, this butterfly is found throughout the year in gardens that grow the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica, the preferred larval food plant. The eggs are laid on the flower buds of the plant. The larvae feed on the developing plant pods.

The male butterfly flies around bushes before settling down at the edge of a twig, leaf or flower. From here, it chases potential mates, often spiralling up with them to great heights.