# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Reakirt's Blue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/BLUE%252C_REAKIRT'S_%28Echinargus_isola%29_%288-2-12%29_san_rafael_grassland%252C_scc%252C_az_-01_%287701313806%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BLUE%252C_REAKIRT'S_%28Echinargus_isola%29_%288-2-12%29_san_rafael_grassland%252C_scc%252C_az_-01_%287701313806%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Echinargus ## 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 - **Ant Alliance:** Reakirt's Blue larvae can secrete sugary honeydew that attracts ants, which then protect them from predators. - **Host Plant Specialist:** Reakirt's Blue larvae depend exclusively on specific legume plants for food, ensuring their growth and survival. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Host plant for larvae. - **Symbiotic with:** Eastern Field Ant (*Formica pallidefulva*) — Protects larvae for honeydew. - **Eaten by:** [Say's Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/says-phoebe) (*Sayornis saya*) — Prey for insectivorous birds. - **Pollinates:** Black-eyed Susan (*Rudbeckia hirta*) — Sips nectar and helps pollination. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Reakirt's 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Paseo Arts District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paseo-arts-district) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District - [Shimek State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shimek-state-forest) — Iowa, US · Forest - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Sedgwick County Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sedgwick-county-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Bricktown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bricktown) — Oklahoma, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Reakirt's Blue](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/reakirts-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: [Reakirt's Blue: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reakirts-blue)