The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a species of small butterfly native to parts of the United States. These butterflies are distinguished by a pair of narrow tails on each of their hindwings. The males are a cobalt blue while the females are a more slate gray. These are the only Blues with tails. They also have orange chevrons located near tails on both the upperside and underside wing surfaces.

 

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

 

Eastern Tailed-Blue Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Alfalfa
• Milk Vetch
• Yellow Wild Indigo
• Downy Milk Pea
• Yellow Sweet Clover
• Red Clover
• Various plants in the Fabaceae family

Nectar Plants:

• Nectar from various flowers
  • Sweet Clover
  • Shepherd’s Needle
  • Wild Strawberry
  • Winter Cress
  • Asters
  • Milkweed
  • Blazing Star
  • Dandelion
  • Lantana
  • Pentas
  • Ageratum
  • Spring Beauty