Dusky Azure
Celastrina nigra (Forbes, 1960)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Identification: Upperside of male gray-black; female dark with areas of gray-blue. Underside of hindwing with prominent black spots in submarginal row.
Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/4 inches (2.2 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females. Eggs are laid singly under young leaflets of host plant. Caterpillars feed on leaves and chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One brood from April-May.
Caterpillar Hosts: Goat\'s beard (Aruncus dioicus) in the rose family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar, including wild geranium.
Habitat: Shady and moist deciduous woods.
Range: Southern Appalachians, Ohio River Valley, central Illinois, and northwest Arkansas.
Conservation: Habitats may be threatened by the spread of garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis) in the mustard family.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Protect habitats from alteration and invasion by exotic plants.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 113 verified sightings

Observation date: May 22, 2022
Submitted by: jhyman
Region: Jackson County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 27, 2022

Observation date: Apr 12, 2021
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Polk County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Dec 06, 2021

Observation date: Apr 20, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Graham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Nov 27, 2021

Observation date: Apr 26, 2014
Submitted by: Pierre Howard
Region: Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Jun 27, 2014

Observation date: May 26, 2012
Submitted by: Peggy O
Region: Forest County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 10, 2012

Observation date: May 05, 2012
Submitted by: Julius
Region: Polk County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: stephen stedman
Verified date: May 11, 2012

Observation date: May 20, 2011
Submitted by: Troy Shively
Region: Scioto County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Feb 21, 2012

Observation date: Apr 29, 2011
Submitted by: Troy Shively
Region: Scioto County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Feb 21, 2012

Observation date: Apr 11, 2011
Submitted by: Julius
Region: Polk County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: stephen stedman
Verified date: Jul 10, 2011

Observation date: May 09, 1993
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL)
Region: Macon County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: May 09, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL,Carter)
Region: Macon County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: May 13, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL, Pippen)
Region: Clay County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 27, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL)
Region: Graham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: May 02, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (C. Marks)
Region: Haywood County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 21, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (S.Garriock)
Region: Jackson County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 27, 1999
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (L Williams)
Region: Graham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 20, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Garriock)
Region: Jackson County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 28, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (J. Pippen)
Region: Graham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 25, 1994
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Hollingsworth)
Region: Mitchell County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: May 05, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL,Carter)
Region: Clay County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Pavulaan/Wright)
Region: Haywood County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 28, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (HEL)
Region: Graham County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011

Observation date: Apr 25, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Gatrelle)
Region: Clay County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina Database)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
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