Spring Azure & Summer Azure

Spring and Summer Azure butterflies look very similar. Spring Azures have one brood with a limited flight period (usually mid-April through early May in our area). By contrast, Summer Azures have multiple broods throughout the year, from mid-March through early October. In our area, it is safe to call any Azure seen in June and later a "Summer Azure". But the situation is much more complicated in springtime, because "Summer Azures" also have an early spring brood.  

This is a Spring Azure, photographed April 21, 2019 at Twin Creek MetroPark. Notice how its markings are brownish rather than black, and the wings look "dirty". These are indications that this is a true Spring Azure. 

Summer Azure butterfly resting on a Queen Anne's Lace flower. 

This is a Summer Azure, photographed July 14, 2017, at Cox Arboretum. In addition to having a longer flight period, Summer Azures are much more common and widespread than Spring Azures. 

Spring Azure butterfly at Germantown MetroPark. Note the purplish highlights on the wings. Spring Azures appear more purple or violet-blue than Summer Azures. 

Another Summer Azure with its wings open, but sadly this butterfly has been nabbed by a crab spider. 

Another Spring Azure, photographed at Dogwood Pond, Twin Creek MetroPark. Flowering dogwood is one of the main host plants for Spring Azure butterflies. The presence of dogwood in bloom is a good indicator that you are in Spring Azure habitat. 

This is a rare look at a Summer Azure basking with its wings spread. These butterflies usually rest with their wings closed. This butterfly was photographed on April 7th, but this is definitely an early brood "Summer" Azure. You can tell by the prominent pale wing veins. Spring Azures do not have prominent pale veins like this. 

Spring Azure butterfly at Twin Creek MetroPark. Note how the wings on this Spring Azure look smudged and "dirty". You can also see a hint of the purplish color where the wing is torn. 

For contrast, here is an early spring brood Summer Azure, photographed at Grant Park on April 3, 2019. Notice how the wings look "cleaner" (whiter) and the markings are black rather than brown. These are strong indications that this is a Summer Azure rather than a Spring Azure, despite the early date.

Here is a date guide for our area: 

Early brood Summer Azure - mid-March through mid-April. 

Spring Azure - one brood in April and early May. 

Summer Azure - several subsequent broods from mid-May through early October.