Eastern Short-tailed Blue
Common NameEastern Short-tailed Blue
Scientific NameCupido comyntas
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorspale blue, grey, black
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, pastures, roadsides, disturbed areas, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to the Great Plains
Host Plantsclover, alfalfa, vetch, lespedeza, tick-trefoil
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant flowers or buds. Larvae feed on the flowers, seeds, and young leaves of legumes. Pupae may overwinter, and there are typically 2-4 broods per year.
Identification TipsLook for the small size, pale blue/grey underside with black spots, and the presence of one or two very short, hair-like tails on each hindwing, often accompanied by two small black spots near the tails.
Description
A small butterfly with pale blue to grayish-white undersides, adorned with several small black spots on both forewings and hindwings, and distinctive short, hair-like tails on the hindwings.
