{"product_id":"polyommatus-icarus","title":"Polyommatus icarus","description":"\u003cp id=\"p-rc_02244559b8b3818c-22\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-29\"\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-29\"\u003ePolyommatus icarus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-29 citation-end-29\"\u003e, commonly known as the Common Blue, is a ethereal gem of the butterfly world fluttering across the sunny grasslands, meadows, and clearings of Europe and Asia.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-28 citation-end-28\"\u003eThough delicate and spanning just three centimeters across, it is widely celebrated as one of the most vibrant and widespread members of the Lycaenidae family, painting open landscapes with fleeting bursts of sapphire.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_02244559b8b3818c-23\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-27 citation-end-27\"\u003eThe butterfly's wings are a masterpiece of micro-structural brilliance, displaying intense sexual dimorphism.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"citation-26 citation-end-26\"\u003eWhile females sport earthy chocolate-brown wings dusted with subtle violet and rimmed with fiery orange crescents, the males boast wings of brilliant, iridescent lilac-blue framed by crisp black borders and snow-white fringes.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e When resting with wings folded, the understated greyish underside—ringed with delicate black-and-white ocelli—instantly camouflage the insect against field grasses. \u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"p-rc_02244559b8b3818c-24\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25\"\u003eA fascinating, almost fantastical secret of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25\"\u003ePolyommatus icarus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation-25 citation-end-25\"\u003e lies in its larval bodyguards: a mutualistic relationship with ants known as myrmecophily.\u003csup class=\"superscript\"\u003e\u003c!----\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e As caterpillars, they secrete a sweet, sugary nectar from specialized honey glands that worker ants find irresistible. In exchange for this liquid sugar, the ants act as ruthless mercenary bodyguards, actively shielding the caterpillar from hungry spiders and parasitic wasps until it is ready to transform.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Katya Shiova","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47587852091446,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/3935\/0838\/files\/img144_1.jpg?v=1788192316","url":"https:\/\/motheroffossildragons.com\/products\/polyommatus-icarus","provider":"Katya Shiova","version":"1.0","type":"link"}