Windwolf
Crex Meadows Butterflies ... Eastern-tailed Blue
Eastern-tailed Blue
Cupido comyntas
Everes comyntas
The Eastern-tailed Blue seems to be undergoing a name revision. As the above name listing indicates, this species is known as Everes comyntas or Cupido comyntas. It appears the new name is Cupido comyntas but a search of either name will bring up pages from the most reputable sites.
According to most sites which mention male/female differences, the coloring of the female tends to be darker and can appear more brown than blue in some individuals.
| Kingdom | Animalia | (Animals) |
| Phylum | Arthropoda | (Arthropods) |
| Superclass | Hexapoda | (Hexapods) |
| Class | Insecta | (Insects) |
| Subclass | Pterygota | (Winged Insects) |
| Order | Lepidoptera | (Butterflies and Moths) |
| Superfamily | Papilionoidea | (Butterflies) |
| Family | Lycaenidae | (Gossamer winged butterflies) |
| Subfamily | Polyommatinae | (Blues) |
| Genus | Cupido | |
| Species | comyntas | (Eastern-tailed blue) |
Wing span:
7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 2.9 cm).
Caterpillar hosts: Wide variety of pea family including yellow sweet clover, alfalfa, vetch, clover, and wild pea.
Caterpillars feed on flowers, buds, and seeds; fully-grown caterpillars hibernate often inside of seedpods.
The Blues present a difficult challenge to photograph with wings open most days. What seems to work is being ready to take a picture soon after the butterfly lands.
Large groups of Blues tend to show open more frequently.
All pictures taken May 21, 2008