Eastern Tailed-Blue
Common NameEastern Tailed-Blue
Scientific NameCupido comyntas
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsblue, gray, black, white
HabitatMeadows, fields, lawns, roadsides, open woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern and Central North America, from southern Canada to Florida and Texas
Host Plantsclover, alfalfa, vetch, tick-trefoil, sweet pea
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant flowers or leaves. Larvae are slug-like and often tended by ants. Pupae are short, stout, and typically green or brown.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, the presence of one or two delicate tails on the hindwings, and two small black spots near the tails. Males are distinctly iridescent blue on the upperside, while females are duller.
Description
A small butterfly with iridescent blue upperwings in males, and duller blue to brownish-gray in females. Both sexes have one or two slender tails on each hindwing, accompanied by small black spots.
