FAMILY : GLAUCIDAE
Glaucus bennettae Churchill, Valdes & Foighill, 2014
10mm

Dorsal surface, which faces downward as animal floats upside down on the surface of
the ocean. This is the smaller of two similar neustonic species which are blown
ashore during periods of strong onshore winds. The other being Glaucus atlanticus Forster 1777.

Feeding on the "By-the-wind sailor" (Velella velella). Also feeds on the Portuguese
man-o'-war, commonly known as the Bluebottle (Physalia physalis) and below on
Porpita porpita.

Mating sequence shown below

© All images Copyright 2019 Denis Riek. All rights reserved.