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Summer Azure

(Celastrina neglecta)

 

 

Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta [W.H. Edwards])

Wing span: 15/16 - 1 1/8 inches (2.4 - 2.9 cm).

Identification: Upperside of male powdery blue often with ill-defined white patch on hindwing. Female with much white scaling on both forewings and hindwings. Underside of hindwing pale gray or white with small black dots and submarginal dark zig

Life history: Caterpillars eat flowers. Chrysalids overwinter until flower late spring or summer.

Flight: One flight from June to October.

Caterpillar hosts: Racemose dogwood, New Jersey Tea, and other plants.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Various habitats including stream valleys, powerline right-of-ways, gardens.

Range: Most of eastern and central United States as well as southern Canada.

 

Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)