Atlantic-coastal-plain-endemic
Guides
Celastrina idella
American holly azure, Holly Azure
Celastrina idella is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, endemic to the Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States. Adults exhibit a single spring flight period from late April to late May, with pupae undergoing extended diapause through summer, autumn, and winter. The species is specialized on holly (Ilex) species as larval hosts, with documented associations with several ant species. It occurs sympatrically with related azure species but is distinguished by host plant specificity, smaller size, and unique phenology.