Lepidoptera Gallery
Butterflies
Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery
: Butterflies
Everes comyntas (Eastern Tailed-blue)
The sexes and the seasonal variants of this species have different appearances. Males have light iridescent blue on the uppersides of their wings, while the females have some blue on the wing upperside. Summer males are darker blue; summer females are brown. All variants have many black spots and two larger orange spots on the underside of the hindwings. Wingspan is from .75 to 1 inch.
This species lives in most open habitats except forests. It is found commonly throughout Illinois. The larvae overwinter on the host plants of clovers, vetch, and other legumes. The pupal stage is in early spring. The adults emerge in April. They feed on nectar and moisture in soil.
Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Photographed by Dr. Everett Cashatt
Accession #:
Butterfly and Moth Image Gallery
: Butterflies
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