New Jersey Butterfly Club

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Everes comyntas

Identification: Tiny—<1". Sexes similar below. Above: Male FW and HW deep blue with dark borders and small orange spots near HW tails. Female is similar, but dark gray, and orange spots are more prominent. Below: Pale gray with many small dark spots on both wings, and HW with 2 orange spots near very thin, hairlike tail (tail visible only at fairly close range). Similar species: Azures are usually lighter blue above, lack orange spots on HW, and lack tails. Gray Hairstreak—which is occasionally seen open winged—is larger, has a larger orange spot on HW, 2 longer, more-obvious tails, and a small orange spot on head.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Common and widespread.

Habitat: Dry or wet meadows, and other open places, including disturbed areas.

Flight Period: Several broods resulting in an extended flight from early April to late October. Extreme dates: North Jersey 4/1—11/4; South Jersey 3/17—12/14.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Many legumes including clovers (Trifolium), ticktrefoils (Desmodium), Lespedezas, and sweet clovers (Melilotus).

Overwintering Stage: Mature caterpillar.

Good Locations: Anywhere and everywhere.