Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Male Eastern Tailed-Blue basking in the sunlight. The tails and tiny red eyespots distinguish this species from the similar Spring and Summer Azures. 

This is a summer form female. Her wings are completely charcoal gray rather than blue.

Underside of an Eastern Tailed-Blue, nectaring on an echinacea flower. The red eyespots and tails are similar to those of a hairstreak butterfly. These features are probably meant to deflect birdstrikes away from the butterfly's vulnerable head. 

Another summer form female. Eastern Tailed-Blues fly from mid-April through October in our area. These butterflies are abundant in fields, meadows, and prairies.

Eastern Tailed-Blue with his wings half-open, photographed at Twin Creek MetroPark. 

Female Eastern Tailed-Blues have two forms. This is the spring form female. Her wings are darker than the male's, but they still have some blue scales. 

Another spring-form female, with a faint dusting of blue scales. 

Mated pair of Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies, at Cox Arboretum.