Is a small-sized lepidopteran belonging to the family Lycaenidae, distinguished by its subtle yet elegant coloration and a wingspan of approximately 20 to 26 millimeters. The dorsal surface of the wings is predominantly dark grayish-brown, sometimes reflecting subtle blue or purplish hues near the wing bases in males. In contrast, the ventral side is characterized by a pale ash-gray or beige ground color, marked by a thin, wavy postdiscal band of reddish-brown spots edged outwardly with white. A highly diagnostic feature of this species is the presence of a distinct orange spot with a black center near the anal angle of the hindwings, situated next to a delicate filamentous tail, which mimics an antenna to misdirect predator strikes away from the insect´s head.

Geographical distribution: This species is widely distributed across the Southern Cone of South America. Its range encompasses vast regions of Argentina, central and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and temperate sectors of Chile. Owing to its high ecological tolerance, it can be found from sea level up to elevations exceeding 1500 meters in Andean valleys and hilly terrains.

Habitat: Occurs in a broad spectrum of open and semi-open ecosystems. It is frequently recorded in temperate grasslands, savannas, scrublands, forest edges, and anthropogenically modified environments such as urban gardens, public parks, agricultural fields (especially alfalfa plantations), and roadside verges. It exhibits a strong preference for sunny habitats where diverse herbaceous plants grow abundantly.

Feeding: Exhibits distinct feeding habits depending on its life stage. The larvae are herbivorous generalists, feeding primarily on the flower buds, young leaves, and developing fruits of plants in the families Fabaceae (such as Trifolium and Medicago) and Malvaceae (particularly the genus Sida). The adult butterflies are strictly nectarivorous, visiting a wide variety of wild flowers, especially those belonging to the families Asteraceae and Verbenaceae, to fuel their active flight.

Behavior: Is characterized by a rapid, erratic, and low-flying pattern, typically remaining close to the ground. When at rest, this butterfly always keeps its wings tightly closed and performs a continuous, alternating rubbing motion of its hindwings. This wing-rubbing behavior animates the false tails, effectively mimicking head movements and tricking potential predators like birds and spiders. Males exhibit highly territorial behaviors, often participating in perching strategies on low-lying leaves to scan for females and vigorously chase away intruding males.

Reproduction: Takes place continuously during the warmer seasons of the year. Gravid females oviposit single eggs directly onto the flower buds or tender shoots of suitable host plants, ensuring immediate sustenance for the hatching caterpillars. The eggs are disc-shaped, with a reticulated chorion and a pale green color that whitens before hatching. The larvae are woodlouse-shaped (onisciform), exhibiting a camouflage-adapted coloration ranging from bright green to pale brown. Pupation occurs near the ground level, either in the leaf litter or attached to the lower stems of the host plant, where the mottled brown pupa remains concealed until the adult emerges.

Conservation status: Has not been globally assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, due to its expansive geographic distribution, high adaptability to human-modified landscapes, and the ubiquity of its larval host plants, this species is considered abundant and secure, with no major threats to its survival currently identified.