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Summer Azure Butterfly – Celastrina neglecta Aka Summer Azure, Holly Azure Family: Lycaenidae/ Subfamily Polyommatinae Butterfly Main | Skippers | Butterfly Index |
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 Live adult butterflies photographed in the wild at Science Lake, Allegany State Park, New York |
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This butterfly is part of what has been called the "Spring Azure Complex" – that is, several species of butterflies so closely related and similar in appearance that even experts have trouble telling them apart. They are variously known as Spring Azure, Summer Azure, Hops Azure and Holly Azure, et al. Until recently, all North American azures were thought of as one wildly variable species, and their classification is still being studied. It has been suggested that the layman simply enjoy these butterflies as azures and leave it at that. |
| Identification: Upperside of male powdery blue often with ill-defined white patch on hindwing. Female with much white scaling on both forewings and hindwings. Underside of hindwing pale gray or white with black dots and submarginal dark zigzag line.
Life history: Caterpillars eat flowers, Adults flower nectar.. chrysalides overwinter until late spring or summer. Flight: One flight from June to October. Wing span: 15/16 – 1-1/8 inches (2.4 – 2.9 cm). Range: Most of eastern and central United States as well as southern Canada. [1] |
References
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| Tree Encyclopedia / North American Insects & Spiders is dedicated to providing scientific and educational resources for our users through use of large images and macro photographs of flora and fauna. |
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Order Lepidoptera, which contains both butterflies and moths, includes at least 125,000 known species including 12,000 in North America. Butterflies are revered for their brightly colored wings and pleasing association with fair weather and flowers. |