The Gossamer-winged butterflies (family Lycaenidae) are a diverse group of small, often brightly colored butterflies in the order Lepidoptera. This large family includes several hundred species commonly known as coppers, blues, hairstreaks, harvesters, and metalmarks. Most species are small to medium-sized, with delicate, often iridescent wings and slender bodies.

There are twenty-four species of Gossamer-Wing butterflies found in Tennessee. Click on the links below for pictures, facts, and a list of host and nectar plants for each species of Gossamer-Winged butterflies.

 

Azures:

• Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)
• Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)
• Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
• Summer Azure (Celastrina ladon neglecta)

 

Blues:

• Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas)
• Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola)
• Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)

 

Coppers:

• American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
• Bronze Copper (Lycaena hyllus)

 

Elfins:

• Brown Elfin (Callophyrs augustinus)
• Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon)
• Henry’s Elfin (Callophyrs henrici)

 

Hairstreaks:

• Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus)
• Coral Hairstreak (Satrium titus)
• Early Hairstreak (Erora laeta)
• Edwards’ Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii)
• Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
• Great Purple Hairstreak (Atilides halesus)
• Juniper Hairstreak (Callophyrys gryneus)
• Oak Hairstreak (Satyrium favonius)
• Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
• Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
• White M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)

 

Harvester:

• Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius)