Blue-butterfly
Guides
Celastrina asheri
Asher's Blue
Celastrina asheri is a recently described butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae, formally recognized in 2022. It belongs to the taxonomically complex Celastrina genus, which has undergone significant revision. The species is known from observations primarily in western North America. As a newly described taxon, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Celastrina echo
Echo Azure, Western Azure
Celastrina echo is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, native to western North America. Its taxonomic status was elevated from subspecies of C. ladon to full species in 2001. The species exhibits complex associations with ants throughout its larval development and displays considerable variation in brood number depending on local climate conditions.
Celastrina echo sidara
echo azure, western azure
Celastrina echo sidara is a subspecies of the echo azure butterfly, originally described by Clench in 1944. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the gossamer-winged butterflies. The subspecies is currently treated as a synonym of Celastrina ladon in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty within the Celastrina echo species complex. As a member of the Polyommatinae subfamily, it shares characteristics with other 'blue' butterflies.
Cyclargus ammon
Nickerbean Blue, Lucas' Blue
Cyclargus ammon is a species of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Commonly known as the Nickerbean Blue or Lucas' Blue, it occurs in the Caribbean and North America. The species was originally described by Lucas in 1856 as Lycaena ammon and later transferred to the genus Cyclargus. It is one of approximately 74 observed species in the genus on iNaturalist.
Euphilotes bernardino
Bernardino blue
Euphilotes bernardino, the Bernardino blue, is a small lycaenid butterfly native to western North America. The species was first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916. It occurs in montane habitats, particularly in the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, though the full extent of its range extends more broadly across North America. The species comprises four recognized subspecies with varying geographic distributions.
Euphilotes columbiae
Columbian Blue
Euphilotes columbiae is a butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Columbian Blue. It is currently treated as a synonym of Euphilotes enoptes. The species was described by Mattoni in 1954. Like other members of the genus Euphilotes, it belongs to a group of small butterflies commonly referred to as 'blue' butterflies due to their characteristic wing coloration.
Euphilotes enoptes enoptes
dotted blue
Euphilotes enoptes enoptes is the nominate subspecies of the dotted blue butterfly, a small lycaenid found in western North America. It belongs to a species complex with localized, patchy distributions tied to specific host plant communities. The subspecies is less studied than its federally endangered relative E. e. smithi, with most ecological research focusing on that coastal California population.
Euphilotes glaucon
Glaucon Blue
Euphilotes glaucon is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Glaucon Blue. It is currently treated as a synonym of Euphilotes battoides (square-spotted blue or buckwheat blue) by some authorities. The species occurs in western North America and is associated with buckwheat plants as larval hosts.
Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus
Florida Blue
Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus, commonly known as the Florida Blue, is a butterfly subspecies in the family Lycaenidae. It is one of several subspecies of the Ceraunus blue, found primarily in Florida and the Florida Keys. The subspecies occurs in open habitats including coastal areas, scrub, and disturbed sites. Adults are active during warmer months and are associated with various legume host plants.
Leptotes cassius
Cassius blue, tropical striped blue
Leptotes cassius is a small, strikingly blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, distributed across the southern United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The species exhibits facultative myrmecophily, with larvae tended by Camponotus ants, though ant presence does not significantly influence oviposition decisions. Caterpillars are florivorous, developing inside flower buds of leguminous host plants. Multiple subspecies are recognized, with L. c. theonus serving as the type species of the genus Leptotes.
Leptotes marina
Marine Blue, Striped Blue
Leptotes marina is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Marine Blue or Striped Blue. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm with blue uppersides and brown-banded undersides marked with two blue spots on the hindwings. The species occurs from South America through Mexico to the southern United States, with adults active year-round in the south and from April to September in northern populations. Larvae feed on a diverse range of leguminous plants including Astragalus, Prosopis, and Wisteria.
Philotiella speciosa
small blue
Philotiella speciosa, commonly known as the small blue, is a North American butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. It is a small blue butterfly with a Hodges number of 4370. The species exhibits diapause, with diapause intensity correlated to host plant bloom periods and elevation. Four subspecies are recognized: P. s. bohartorum, P. s. purisima (lompoc blue), P. s. septentrionalis, and the nominate P. s. speciosa.
Plebejus
Blues
Plebejus is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as "blues." Species occur in the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Several species have been observed engaging in mutualistic relationships with ants, where caterpillars produce sugar secretions in exchange for protection. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with several formerly independent genera now tentatively included.
Plebejus acmon
Acmon Blue
Plebejus acmon, commonly known as the Acmon Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found across western North America and is frequently encountered in diverse habitats from lowland areas to montane regions. The species is known to utilize various lupine species and other legumes as larval host plants. Adults are active spring through fall depending on elevation and region, with multiple generations produced annually in warmer areas.
Plebejus anna
Anna's blue
Plebejus anna, commonly known as Anna's blue, is a North American butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the northern blue (Plebejus idas) but is now recognized as a distinct species. The butterfly exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and is univoltine, with adults active during summer months.
Plebejus emigdionis
Emigdio Blue
Plebejus emigdionis, known as the Emigdio Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species is currently classified under the genus Plebulina as Plebulina emigdionis, though it was historically placed in Plebejus. Like other members of this group, it is associated with specific host plants and exhibits typical lycaenid biology including potential ant associations.
Plebejus fridayi
Friday's Blue
Plebejus fridayi, commonly known as Friday's Blue, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species was described by F. Chermock in 1945. It belongs to the same genus as the Acmon Blue (Plebejus acmon) and Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa), with which it shares morphological similarities. The genus Plebejus includes small to medium-sized blue butterflies found in North America.
Plebejus glandon rusticus
Rustic Blue
Plebejus glandon rusticus is a subspecies of Arctic Blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to a genus of small, often iridescent blue butterflies commonly known as "blues." The species Plebejus glandon has a Holarctic distribution with multiple described subspecies showing regional variation. Subspecific status indicates geographic differentiation in morphology or ecology from the nominate form.
Plebejus icarioides icarioides
Melissa Blue, Icaricia Blue
Plebejus icarioides icarioides is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Melissa Blue or Icaricia Blue. The species complex has been subject to taxonomic revision, with this subspecies sometimes placed in the genus Icaricia. It occurs in western North America and is associated with open habitats. The subspecies is part of a broader species group that includes the endangered Fender's blue butterfly (P. i. fenderi), which has been extensively studied for conservation purposes.
Plebejus icarioides lycea
Plebejus icarioides lycea is a subspecies of the Boisduval's blue butterfly, a member of the family Lycaenidae. The species Plebejus icarioides is known to have multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. According to GBIF taxonomy, this subspecies is currently treated as a synonym, with the accepted name being Cupido pembina. The subspecies was originally described by W.H. Edwards in 1864.
Plebejus icarioides parapheres
Plebejus icarioides parapheres is a subspecies of the Boisduval's blue butterfly complex, originally described from California. It is currently treated as a synonym of Icaricia icarioides parapheres in some taxonomic databases. The species group is associated with leguminous host plants and has been subject to conservation research due to habitat loss pressures affecting related subspecies.
Plebejus idas
Idas blue, northern blue
Plebejus idas is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, widely distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Males display iridescent blue upper wings, while females are brown with orange submarginal spots. The species exhibits notable geographic variation in its ecological relationships, including facultative versus obligate myrmecophily. The critically endangered subspecies P. idas lotis (lotis blue butterfly), native to coastal California, is believed extinct since 1994.
Plebejus idas aster
Idas Blue, Northern Blue
Plebejus idas aster is a subspecies of the Idas Blue butterfly, a small lycaenid found in North America. It belongs to a complex of closely related blue butterflies that have been subject to taxonomic revision, with this subspecies sometimes treated under the genus Lycaena. The species is associated with open habitats and has documented relationships with host plants and ants.
Plebejus idas nabokovi
Nabokov's Blue, Lupine Blue
Plebejus idas nabokovi is a subspecies of the Idas Blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is named after the novelist and lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov. This small blue butterfly is part of the Plebejus idas species complex, which shows considerable geographic variation across its range. The subspecies is associated with lupine host plants and has been studied in the context of butterfly-ant mutualisms and host plant specialization.
Plebejus lupini
Lupine Blue
Plebejus lupini, the Lupine Blue, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The species is associated with lupine host plants (genus Lupinus), as indicated by its specific epithet. It occurs in western North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Like other members of the genus Plebejus, it is part of the diverse blue butterfly radiation in the family Lycaenidae.
Plebejus lupini lutzi
Plebejus lupini lutzi is a subspecies of the Lupine Blue butterfly, first described by Passos in 1938. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the gossamer-winged butterflies. This subspecies is part of the Plebejus genus, which includes numerous blue butterfly species found across North America. The subspecific epithet 'lutzi' honors an individual, following standard taxonomic naming conventions of the era.
Plebejus lupini monticola
Plebejus lupini monticola is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Clemence in 1909 and is currently treated as a synonym of Plebejus monticola. The taxonomic status reflects ongoing revisions within the Plebejus genus, which includes several closely related species and subspecies of lycaenid butterflies found in western North America.
Plebejus lupini texanus
Texas Lupine Blue, Lupine Blue (Texas subspecies)
Plebejus lupini texanus is a subspecies of lupine blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in western North America, with records from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. As a member of the Plebejus genus, it likely exhibits the typical blue butterfly characteristics of small size and association with larval host plants in the Fabaceae family, though specific details for this subspecies are limited in available sources.
Plebejus melissa
Melissa Blue
The Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, native to western North America. This species has been extensively studied for its colonization of alfalfa as a novel host plant, representing a well-documented case of host range expansion. The Karner blue (P. m. samuelis), described by Vladimir Nabokov, is a federally endangered subspecies restricted to oak savanna and pine barren habitats in the upper Midwest.
Plebejus neurona
Sierra Nevada Blue
Plebejus neurona, known as the Sierra Nevada Blue, is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The species is closely related to and was formerly classified within the genus Lycaena. Like other members of its family, it exhibits a close ecological relationship with ants during its larval stage.
Plebejus saepiolus
Greenish Blue, Icaricia saepiolus
Plebejus saepiolus, commonly known as the Greenish Blue, is a small lycaenid butterfly native to North America. It is closely related to other Plebejus species such as P. acmon (Acmon Blue) and P. melissa (Melissa Blue), with which it shares similar habitat preferences and morphological features. The species has been documented across western and northern regions of North America including Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the characteristic blue coloration on the upper wing surfaces of males.