Species Detail

Summer Azure

Celastrina neglecta (W.H. Edwards, 1862)

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Attributes of Celastrina neglecta

Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Subfamily: Blues (Polyommatinae)

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 small black dots and submarginal dark zigzag line.

Life history: Caterpillars eat flowers. Chrysalids overwinter until flower late spring or summer.

Flight: One flight from June to October.

Wing span: 15/16 - 1 1/8 inches (2.4 - 2.9 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Racemose dogwood, New Jersey Tea, and other plants.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Various habitats including stream valleys, powerline right-of-ways, gardens.

Range: Most of eastern and central United States as well as southern Canada.

Conservation: Not necessary.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.