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Summer Azure

Celastrina neglecta

The Summer Azure is a small, beautiful butterfly with lovely blue wings. It flutters around gardens and meadows, bringing joy to everyone who sees it!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Summer Azure is a small, delicate butterfly primarily bright sky-blue on its upper wings, often appearing iridescent, especially in males. Its undersides are pale grayish-white and usually unmarked, which helps distinguish it from similar azure species. Females may have a dusting of dusky gray on their wing margins.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusCyaniris
Summer Azure
colorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badgediurnal trait badge
Summer Azure

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult Summer Azures get energy from drinking tree sap and mineral-rich puddles too, not only flowers!

Baby Summer Azures (caterpillars) sometimes get protection from ants in exchange for a sweet treat!

Its scientific name, 'neglecta', means 'neglected' because it was once mistaken for another butterfly!

Unlike many caterpillars, these munch on flower buds and young fruits, not just leaves!

Special abilities

Ability

Quick-Change Caterpillar

Summer Azure caterpillars can change colors to perfectly match the flower buds they eat, helping them hide from hungry birds.

Ability

Super Sipper

Summer Azures have a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside many different flowers.

Ability

Flitting Escape Artist

The Summer Azure can dart and weave erratically in flight, which makes it very difficult for predators to catch.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
22-32 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
8-15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on tender flower buds and young fruits.

Age differences: Yes, adults drink nectar from flowers, while caterpillars feed on the flower buds and young fruits of various plants.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Dogwood flower buds
  • Sumac flower buds
  • Viburnum berries

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so they don’t get scared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Summer Azure's wingspan?

22-32 mm

How big is Summer Azure?

10-15 mm

How long does Summer Azure live?

7-14 days

How fast can Summer Azure fly?

8-15 km/h

What does Summer Azure eat?

Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on tender flower buds and young fruits.

Where is Summer Azure usually found?

Gardens

How many legs does Summer Azure have?

6

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