The Summer Azure is a beautiful light blue butterfly that is enjoyable to watch as it flutters up and down among the plants. It is one of the smallest butterflies in North America. The upperside of the male is powdery blue, often with ill-defined white patches on the hindwing. The females have white scaling on both forewings and hindwings. The underside of the hindwing is pale gray or white with small black dots and a dark zigzag line. The Hindwing fringe is solid, with no checkering.

 

“Summer Azure” by Joshua Mayer, licensed under (CC BY-SA 2.0)

 

Summer Azure Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Polyommatinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 15/16 – 1 1/8 inches

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

 

Summer Azure Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• New Jersey Tea
• White Crownbeard
• Smooth Sumac
• Spiraea
• Leafy Elephant’s Foot
• Sourwood
• Black Cohosh

Nectar Plants:

• Nectar from various flowers
  • Virgin’s Bower
  • Leafy Elephant’s Foot
  • New Jersey Tea