[2] In the males the upperwings have a purple sheen but the females show a more usual pattern for Lycaena butterflies.

[7] Lycaena boldenarum is found in a wide variety of open habitats including grassland, shingle, sand dunes and braided rivers.

It overwinters when half grown and in the spring it resumes feeding, hiding beneath small stones when inactive.

The larvae are often found in association with Monomorium ants but a symbiotic link or dependency has not been demonstrated.

[8] Hoare et al. classified Lycaena ianthina as being Nationally Critical under the New Zealand Threat Classification system.