# Eastern Tailed-Blue (*Cupido comyntas*) The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a small butterfly with beautiful blue wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 45 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eastern Tailed-Blue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern-tailed_blue_butterfly.jpg&width=800) Photo: Own work, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern-tailed_blue_butterfly.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Tailed-Blue has iridescent blue upper wings in males, while females are duller blue or brownish-grey. Both sexes feature two small black spots and delicate, thread-like 'tails' near the hindwing margin, often edged with orange. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Elkalyce ## Interesting facts - Male Eastern Tailed-Blues often 'puddle' together, drinking minerals from damp ground! - Some Eastern Tailed-Blue caterpillars secrete a sugary fluid that ants love to drink! - Their tiny, ridged eggs are often laid one by one on the tender young leaves of host plants. - These butterflies are 'generalists' and can thrive in many different habitats, even bustling cities! ## Special abilities - **False Head Defense:** Eastern Tailed-Blue has tiny 'tails' and eye-spots that mimic a head, making predators strike the wrong end, allowing for escape. - **Caterpillar Camouflage:** Its caterpillars can be green or brown and have a bumpy texture, helping them perfectly blend with their host plants to hide. - **Nectar Slurper:** The butterfly has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps it reach deep into flowers to slurp up sweet nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on legume leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) feed on plant leaves and flowers; adults feed on nectar from various flowering plants. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, white clover, red clover, alfalfa, vetch, peas - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults visit for nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — A common bird predator. - **Depends on:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Larvae feed on leaves. - **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambush predator on flowers. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch. Be quiet and still to see them better! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Tailed-Blue? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eastern Tailed-Blue's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Eastern Tailed-Blue? 20-30 mm ### How long does Eastern Tailed-Blue live? 10-20 days ### What does Eastern Tailed-Blue eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on legume leaves. ### Where is Eastern Tailed-Blue usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eastern Tailed-Blue hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Eastern Tailed-Blue have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Circleville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/circleville-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District [View all places to see Eastern Tailed-Blue](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-tailed-blue) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Tailed-Blue: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tailed-blue)