These tiny butterflies are among our most common and widespread species. The host plants are various legumes. Eastern Tailed-Blue has even adapted to use the invasive exotic weed Lespedeza cuneata, which certainly helps increase its abundance.

Mated pair - the female is on the right, as you can tell by the gray upper surface of the forewing showing.

Orange Co., NC 6/15/06.

Mated pair - the male is on the left, showing some violet on the upperside of the hindwing.

Richmond Co., NC 4/20/05.

Mated pair - here the female is on the left, showing gray uppersides.

Alleghany Co., NC 6/25/05.

Nectaring on Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Person Co., NC 6/13/06.

Durham Co., NC 6/22/02.

Carroll Co., VA 6/29/02.

Males are dark blue above. This one is nectaring on New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus).

Person Co., NC 6/13/06.

Females are dark gray above. Orange Co., NC 5/19/04.