Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas)

 

The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a small butterfly native to much of the United States. It’s easily recognized by the narrow tails on each hindwing, making it the only blue species with tails. Males are a vibrant cobalt blue, while females are more slate gray. Both sexes feature orange chevrons near the tails on both the upper and underside of the wings.

 

Male

“Eastern Tailed Blue” by John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Female

“Eastern Tailed Blue, By John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Eastern Tailed-Blue Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Polyommatinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 7/8 – 1 1/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Many open, sunny places, including weedy areas and disturbed habitats

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

  • Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

  • Downy Milk Pea (Galactia volubilis)

  • Milk Vetch (Astragalus spp.)

  • Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

  • Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis)

  • Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)

  • Various Legumes (Fabaceae family)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies feed on nectar from the following native flowers:

  • Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

  • Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

  • Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

  • Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

  • Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

  • Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

  • Dogbane (Apocynum spp.)

  • Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

  • New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

  • Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

  • Shepherd’s Needle (Scandix pecten-veneris)

  • Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

  • Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.)

  • Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

  • Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris)