ExploreInsects

Reakirt's Blue

Echinargus isola

Reakirt's Blue is a small, beautiful butterfly with bright blue wings. They flutter around flowers and are often seen in sunny places during warm months.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Reakirt's Blue is a tiny butterfly with iridescent violet-blue upperwings on males and brownish-blue on females, often with dark borders. Its underside is distinctive white or light gray, adorned with several small black spots, sometimes showing faint orange hints on the hindwings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusEchinargus
Reakirt's Blue
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Reakirt's Blue

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

12

Interesting facts

Its caterpillars are slug-like and often attended by protective ants.

Males have brilliant iridescent blue wings that shimmer in the sunlight!

This tiny blue butterfly is one of the smallest found in North America!

You can find adult Reakirt's Blues flying almost any day in warm regions.

Special abilities

Ability

Ant Alliance

Reakirt's Blue larvae can secrete sugary honeydew that attracts ants, which then protect them from predators.

Ability

Host Plant Specialist

Reakirt's Blue larvae depend exclusively on specific legume plants for food, ensuring their growth and survival.

Ability

Spotlight Camouflage

The underside wing patterns of the Reakirt's Blue have small black spots that help them blend with dappled light.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-30 mm
Size
8-15 mm
Lifespan
7-21 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while young caterpillars munch on leaves of special plants.

Age differences: Larvae eat plant parts (leaves, flowers, seeds); adults consume liquid nectar.

Primary Foods

  • flower nectar
  • legume leaves
  • legume flowers
  • legume seeds

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Host plant for larvae.

symbiotic with

Eastern Field Ant

Formica pallidefulva

Protects larvae for honeydew.

eaten by

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

Prey for insectivorous birds.

pollinates

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Sips nectar and helps pollination.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Reakirt's Blue?

The easiest way to identify Reakirt's Blue is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Reakirt's Blue's wingspan?

20-30 mm

How big is Reakirt's Blue?

8-15 mm

How long does Reakirt's Blue live?

7-21 days

How fast can Reakirt's Blue fly?

15 km/h

What does Reakirt's Blue eat?

Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while young caterpillars munch on leaves of special plants.

Where is Reakirt's Blue usually found?

Grasslands

How does Reakirt's Blue hunt?

Foraging

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