Eastern Tailed Blue – Everes comyntas

Eastern Tailed Blues are common butterflies at our farm in Wisconsin.  I see them throughout the warm moths – from May until September.

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Mating pair

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The females lay their eggs on plants in the Pea Family – I almost always find caterpillars when I check out the flowers of Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata).  The caterpillars are flat and slow moving.  They seem to prefer to eat flowers rather than leaves.  They vary in color – from brown to bright green.

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This one is much greener.

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Chrysalis

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Adult males are bright blue on the tops of their wings

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Adult females’ upper wings are gray and slightly iridescent.

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Marcie O’Connor
Buffalo County, Wisconsin