Description:
Above, the male is blue with a black border, an obvious tail, and an orange spot or two near the tail. The female is essentially the same below, but is black, not blue, above (see second photo). Below, the Eastern Tailed-Blue is a light gray with a variety of small black marks, a small tail (often very hard to see on worn specimens), and orange spots near the tail.
Habitat:
Open, often disturbed areas, prairie restorations, and city parks.
Overwintering Strategy:
Mid-stage Caterpillars
Flight:
The Eastern Tailed-Blue has 3-4 broods in Wisconsin, and is present as an adult from May through October.
Caterpillar Host Plants:
Legumes (Fabaceae) including Wild Lupines (Lupinus perennis), American and Carolina Vetch (Vicia americana and V. Caroliniana), Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus), White Pea (Lathyrus ochroleucus), Marsh Pea (Lathyrus palustris), Veiny Pea (Lathyrus venosus), and Tick Trefoils (Desmodium canadense, D. glutinosum, D. illinoense, D. nudiflorum) note: caterpillars overwinter in the seed pods
Notes:
The Eastern Tailed-Blue is the most commonly seen Blue in the state. It is found throughout the state from May though October. Although all the Blues may do some puddling, this species seems to be more prone to congregating in groups at moist areas along ponds and streams
Overwintering Strategy
Two-way migration: Adult migrates from Wisconsin to Central Mexico
Small migration: Adult migrates from Wisconsin to southern US
Immigrant: Adult migrates into Wisconsin from warmer areas and don't fly south in winter
Adult Butterfly: Hibernates overwinter as an adult butterfly
Eggs: Eggs laid on stems, twigs or foot plants overwinter in diapause
Caterpillar: Caterpillars make nests on the base of plants and hibernate until spring
Chrysalis: Caterpillars shed their last skin, form a chrysalis and enter diapause.
For more information, read: Where Do Butterflies Go In Winter?
Further Information:
Design A Butterfly Garden
Take The Butterfly Quiz
Monarch Life Cycle
Butterflies and Moths of North America
WisconsinButterflies.org
Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Assn (NABA)
The Butterfly Site
