Size:
Wingspan is 3/4 - 7/8 inch.

Similar Species:
None in the region.
Western Pygmy-Blue in the western US.

Habitat:
Tidal marshes and coastal flats.

Range/Abundance:
Stray or accidental in the southern coastal areas SC. No records for NC, VA and WV.

Flight Period:
Adults fly from late summer or early fall.

Larval Host Plants:
Glassworts Salicornia spp. and Saltwort Batis spp.

Comments:
The smallest butterfly in the eastern US. It is actually copper-colored and not blue at all. Flies very close to the ground and can easily be over looked.

Although there is a fair amount of habitat in SC and NC, it hasn't been reported any further north than Charleston, SC.

This blue strays northward from Florida and Georgia once in a while. The last record in the region was October 09, 1999 at James Island SC.

These photos were taken at Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys on January 26, 2002.

Start > Species List > Blues >