These are the Acmon Blue, Silvery Blue, Eastern Tailed Blue, and the Echo Blue. Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (26 May 2012). Eastern Tailed Blue The tails of the Eastern Tailed Blue (Everes comyntas) are not visible in flight. They often rest in muddy places on paths, and the bright blue flutter really shows up against the dark mud. Blue butterfly, (subfamily Polyommatinae), any member of a group of insects in the widely distributed Lycaenidae family of common butterflies (order Lepidoptera). Gossamer Wing family butterfly is called the “gossamers” because some of the butterflies have wings, which are so sheer and delicate the wings look like the soft, filmy, sheer fabric called gossamer. Primary Sections . I recently came across some interesting facts about them that I didn’t know before, which I felt like sharing… • Butterflies can see ultraviolet light. Upperside of male blue, female brown with blue at wing base. It is a small butterfly that is distinguished from other blues in its range by the small thin tail. The eastern tailed-blues can be seen perching on leaves or stems to bask in the sun. Ventral view of the Eastern Tailed-Blue . The males upper wings are blue while the females are brown. Adults are small and delicate, with a wingspan of 18 to 38 mm (0.75 inch to 1.5 inches). Mexican Bluewing Butterfly. This species can be found in most any sunny area from fields, edges of woods, vacant lots, gardens, roadsides and along lakes, rivers and ponds. The Painted Lady Butterfly They are rapid fliers and are usually distinguished by iridescent blue wings. Adlerflies, Fishflies & Dobsonflies Eastern Tailed Blue. The picture shows an Eastern Tailed-blue. The Eastern Tailed-Blue is active close to the ground, often on lawns with clover. This lively blue to blue-grey butterfly has an orange spot on the hindwing and is the only blue butterfly in Prince William County with "tails" on the hindwing. Wing Span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm). Swallowtail butterfly, (subfamily Papilioninae), any of a group of butterflies in the family Papilionidae (order Lepidoptera).The swallowtail butterflies (Papilio) are found worldwide except in the Arctic.They are named for the characteristic tail-like extensions of the hindwings, although many species are tailless. While Hairstreak butterflies are the most numerous in terms of species numbers, most have a limited range. When I approached the butterfly it fluttered away revealing a blue or gray tint to the upper leaves. The Pygmy Butterfly earned the honor of having the shortest wingspan at 11 mm. Females are often slate grey, sometimes with vivid blue coloration close to the body. In Britain, swallowtails are confined to the Norfolk … ☰ BUTTERFLY MENU Butterfly Basics; Butterfly Gardening; The Monarch; The Swallowtails ... Eastern Tailed-blue. A cocoon is the silk ‘sleeping bag’ some species of moths make before they pupate. It is most common in eastern North America, although some can be found in parts of western states such as Oregon, Washington and California. Red Spotted Purple. The Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas) is named for the iridescent blue color of its upper wing surface, more vivid in the male, and for the short, thread-like tail on each hind wing. They are fairly small at 1". This picture was taken in my lawn of this small Blue nectaring on some sweet white clover. Pipevine Swallowtail. This butterfly is an avid visitor to damp soil, damp gravel, and damp sand. It is found throughout the state from May though October. Their flight is very quick and erratic, looping and […] No matter the meal, they suck it up a straw. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus – Butterfly Fun Facts Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus butterflies are found in all states east of the Continental Divide and in part of Canada. VIEW IMAGE. The small Eastern Tailed-Blue is a beautiful butterfly included in the family Lycaenidae. The Eastern-tailed Blue Butterfly passes from flower to flower and is found across much of North America. ... Christian Butterfly; Interesting Blogs; My Story; In the blue butterflies category the Tailed-blue and Spring Azure range across the state. They function… Maxima: 400, 27 August 1988, Salisbury (Essex Co.). It helps them in finding nectar in flowers. It and the Giant Swallowtail are the … Butterflies for me are the most beautiful creatures Mother Nature has created. Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly – Cupido comyntasLive butterflies photographed in the wild at Winfield, Illinois Family Lycaenidae / Subfamily: Polyommatinae (Blues)Butterfly Main | Skippers | Butterfly Index This is a very small butterfly – with wings closed, in profile, about the size of a U.S. dime. Interesting Facts. This butterfly’s range is throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and southeast Canada as well as parts of California then south to Costa Rica.Costa Rica. Having the knowledge and ability to narrow your identifications to the family classification level will give you a great start to identifying butterflies. click for details. The Eastern-tailed Blue flies close to the ground and frequents open areas. There are several small butterflies that resemble the Mission Blue and are occasionally found in the same areas. Flight Period in Massachusetts In fact, the tails for which they are named are fragile, and wear-and-tear renders many tailed blues tail-less. The Eastern Tailed-blue is a small butterfly, with the male being a cobalt blue and the female a slate gray color. A proboscis, which functions as a drinking straw, stays curled up under the butterfly's chin until it finds a source of nectar or other liquid nutrition. Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterfly Recently I came across a small light colored butterfly in my garden that at first glance I thought was a Small Cabbage White I had seen in my garden here in Chicago. (photos by Marie Gardner) Photos, flight season, distribution and host plant information, conservation status, and identification tips for the Eastern Tailed Blue butterfly. Females are often slate grey, sometimes with vivid blue coloration close to the body. Dorsal view of the Eastern Tailed-Blue . Where are swallowtail butterflies found in the UK? Unlike most butterflies, which keep their wings closed while resting, eastern tailed-blues rest them at a 45 degree angle. The other species have limited ranges, mostly in the mountains. click for details. Photo from Wikimedia Public Domain. The long, tubular structure then unfurls and sips up a meal. Eastern tailed-blue butterflies used to only be found in eastern North America, but can now be admired in new areas – like California. Blue Butterflies with facts, descriptions, sizes and photographs. The Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas) is named for the iridescent blue color of its upper wing surface, more vivid in the male, and for the short, thread-like tail on each hind wing. 1 . In southern NJ: in 2015, during the Cumberland County Butterfly Count, on June 24, there were 626 Eastern Tailed-Blues. by Randy Anderson (Biggsville, Il USA) Eastern Tailed Blue. October to early March is the butterfly season in California, with butterfly species like Monarch and Painted Lady are spotted migrating to the central and southern parts of the state. In PA: in 2015, during the Hawk Mountain Butterfly Count, on July 11, there were 18 Eastern Tailed-Blues. (Some people consider the nest that a few species of butterflies … click for details. Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas) – Lycaenidae Family. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images or return to the article. Eastern Tailed Blue Everes comyntas comyntas (Godart, 1824) Mating pair photo (Click to enlarge) ... blue vervain, Indian hemp, butterfly-weed, peppermint, common boneset, asters, and brambles. Eastern Tailed Blue, Marine Blue, Eastern Tailed Blue, Small Checkered Skipper and the Bog Elfin all share top honors for Canada’s smallest butterflies with wingspan of 16 mm. Everes comyntas The Eastern Tailed-Blue is the most commonly seen Blue in the state. The Pygmy Butterfly. Eastern-tailed Blue Blue Everes comyntas Wingspan: 7/8 to 1 1/8 inch. A caterpillar creates the silken cocoon with a silk gland/spinneret that is located under its mouth. The dorsal or top side of male butterfly’s wings are iridescent blue, which can be observed as Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterfly (Lycaenidae: Cupido comyntas) Worn Female Carl Barrentine : About Published on May 27, 2012. Underside white with black spots indistinct or lacking; single small orange spot near tail. Although all the Blues may do some puddling, this species seems to be more prone to congregating in groups at moist areas along ponds and streams. Eastern-tailed Blue Butterfly Pictures Below are images of the Eastern-tailed Blue Butterfly. I usually notice Eastern Tailed Blue butterflies when I see a small bright blue flutter of wings down near the ground. Size: Small, about the size of a Blueberry Generations per year: Four Overwinter As: Chrysalis (Pupa) Interesting Facts: This is our most often seen of the “blue” butterflies in the spring and summer and it is also one of the smallest. Butterfly caterpillars do not make cocoons. In flight, a Green Hairstreak may also resemble the Mission Blue. Currently, this species remains a common butterfly in Massachusetts and is found throughout the state from the western border to the eastern most portion of Cape Cod. Image courtesy of DDT photography. Hi Janet, The proper identification of the Gossamer Winged Butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, including the Hairstreaks and Blues, can be a daunting task, but we agree that this is a male Eastern Tailed Blue, Cupido comyntas. Butterfly Photo Gallery Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterfly Pictures Cupido comyntas It can often be found in open grassy spaces such as sunny fields and pastures. • Their legs have a sense of taste. Above & below: an Eastern Tailed-Blue In the upper photo, notice the tails. The eastern tailed-blue or eastern tailed blue (Cupido comyntas), also known as Everes comyntas, is a common butterfly of eastern North America. A few species of butterflies feed on sap, and some even resort to sipping from carrion. INTERESTING FACTS: This is our most often seen of the “blue” butterflies in the spring and summer, and it is also one of the smallest. 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