Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)

Photos by Christine Hanrahan

Links — [CBIF] — are to Butterflies of Canada on the Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility web site where you'll find more photographs, descriptions, ranges, habitat, and more. The small images next to each butterfly's name are from Butterflies of Canada. They show upper wing on left and under wing on the right and show the relative size of each species. Wingspans, flight times, and larval food are also from Butterflies of Canada.


Bronze Copper

Lycaena hyllus [CBIF]
Wingspan: 23 to 38 mm
Larval food: Curled Dock (Rumex crispus), Water Dock (R. orbiculatus), and knotweed (Polygonum spp.)
Flight season: Mid-June to mid-September (2 overlapping broods)
Underside of wing

Banded Hairstreak

Satyrium calanus [CBIF]
Wingspan: 23 to 34 mm
Larval food: Oaks, hickory, and walnuts, particularly butternut (Juglans cinerea)
Flight season: Late June into late August

Underside of wings

Striped Hairstreak

Satyrium liparops [CBIF]
Wingspan: 21 to 28 mm
Larval food: Plum and cherry (Prunus spp.) and hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)
Flight season: Mid-June to mid-August (peak in early July)

Underside of wings

Eastern Tailed Blue

Everes comyntas [CBIF]
Wingspan: 16 to 26 mm
Larval food: White Clover (Trifolium repens), Red Clover (T. pratense), and Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca)
Flight season: 2 or 3 generations, May to October

Underside of wings
Male, upper surface of wings
Female, upper surface of wings

Spring Azure

Celastrina ladon [CBIF]
Wingspan: 18 to 28 mm
Larval food: Cherry (Prunus spp.), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and early blooming viburnums (Viburnum spp.)
Flight season: Early April to mid-May

Underside of wings

Summer Azure

Celastrina neglecta [CBIF]
Wingspan: 23 to 29 mm
Larval food: Dogwoods (Cornus spp.), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), meadowsweet (Spiraea spp.) and late-blooming viburnums (Viburnum spp.)
Flight season: Mid-June to early September (2 or 3 generations)

Underside of wings

Silvery Blue

Glaucopsyche lygdamus [CBIF]
Wingspan: 16 to 26 mm
Larval food: Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca), White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba), and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Flight season: Early May to early July

Underside of wings
Male, upper surface of wings
Female, upper surface of wings



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This page was revised on 28 June 2008
Photos: Christine Hanrahan
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