Celastrina neglecta

(W.H.Edwards, 1862)

Summer Azure

Celastrina neglecta, the summer azure, is a small North American in the Lycaenidae. It is distinguished from similar Celastrina by its late-season period, pale blue upper surface with extensive white scaling, and specific wing pattern details. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, previously treated as a synonym of C. argiolus lucia.

Celastrina neglecta by (c) Christine Betts McAnlis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christine Betts McAnlis. Used under a CC-BY license.

Celastrina neglecta by (c) botanygirl, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by botanygirl. Used under a CC-BY license.

Celastrina neglecta P1010974a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Celastrina neglecta: /sɛˈlæstrɪnə nɪˈɡlɛktə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from spring azure (C. ladon) by later season (mid-June onward versus spring). Differs from cherry gall azure (C. serotina), holly azure (C. idella), Lucia azure (C. lucia), and Iryna's azure (C. iryna) by combination of pale blue ground color, extensive white scaling, and specific pattern elements. Females with heavy white scaling and dark forewing band are particularly distinctive.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 23–29 mm. Upper surface pale blue with extensive white scaling, especially on hindwing; females often have blue replaced by white with only small blue patches near wing bases, plus a broad blackish-grey band on outer third and of forewing. Underside chalky white to pale grey with tiny dark grey spots and zigzagged submarginal line on hindwing.

Habitat

Occurs in diverse open including meadows, forest edges, and gardens. Associated with plant availability.

Distribution

Eastern and central United States, southern Canada from Nova Scotia to southern Saskatchewan.

Seasonality

fly from mid-June until early October. Two or three per year in southern part of range.

Diet

Larval plants: New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), dogwoods (Cornus spp.), and meadowsweet (Spiraea spp.). nectar sources include vetch, yarrow, meadowsweet, rough-fruited cinquefoil, Anne's lace, wild oregano, narrow-leaved mountain mint, Joe-pye weed, and goldenrods.

Host Associations

New Jersey tea - larval Ceanothus americanus
dogwoods - larval Cornus spp.
meadowsweet - larval Spiraea spp.

Life Cycle

Multivoltine with two or three annually in southern range. Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Specific duration of stages not documented.

Behavior

nectar at flowers. period distinctly separated from spring-flying .

Ecological Role

of diverse flowering plants. Larvae function as herbivores on specific shrubs.

Human Relevance

Subject of citizen science observation (28,120+ iNaturalist records). Occasionally encountered in gardens due to plant .

Similar Taxa

Celastrina ladonSpring azure; flies earlier in season (spring), generally darker blue with less white scaling
Celastrina serotinaCherry gall azure; distinct and associations
Celastrina idellaHolly azure; restricted distribution and specificity
Celastrina luciaLucia azure; historically confused taxonomically, distinct range and pattern
Celastrina irynaIryna's azure; recently described, limited range

Misconceptions

Historically treated as a synonym of Celastrina argiolus lucia, leading to confusion in older literature. Taxonomic status clarified in modern treatments.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Lycaena neglecta Edwards, 1862. Long treated as synonym of Celastrina argiolus lucia; subsequently recognized as distinct .