# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Summer Azure](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Summer_Azure_Ottawa.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Summer_Azure_Ottawa.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Cyaniris ## 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 - **Quick-Change Caterpillar:** Summer Azure caterpillars can change colors to perfectly match the flower buds they eat, helping them hide from hungry birds. - **Super Sipper:** Summer Azures have a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside many different flowers. - **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 - **Depends on:** [Flowering Dogwood](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flowering-dogwood) (*Cornus florida*) — Larvae consume its flower buds and young fruits. - **Depends on:** [Staghorn Sumac](https://www.snappit.app/explore/staghorn-sumac) (*Rhus typhina*) — Caterpillars feed on its developing flower clusters. - **Pollinates:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Both visit flowering plants to gather nectar. - **Symbiotic with:** Silky Ant (*Formica subsericea*) — Guards larvae from predators for their sugary fluid. - **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — Small insectivorous birds prey on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so they don’t get scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Summer Azure? 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Guilford Historic Town Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guilford-historic-town-center) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Morris Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/morris-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Mt. Cuba Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mt-cuba-center) — Delaware, US · Botanical Garden - [Patterson Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/patterson-park) — Maryland, US · Botanical Garden - [Plant Collections Network](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/plant-collections-network) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Summer Azure](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/summer-azure) ## 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: [Summer Azure: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/summer-azure)