Blue butterflies like Karner Blue, Spring Azure, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Adonis Blue, and Holly Blue are among the most stunning and cherished butterfly species, we will learn about 20 Common Species of Blue Butterflies since we cannot cover the over 600 species that exist worldwide in a single post.
Blue butterflies are found in all continents except Antarctica and live in rural and suburban environments. At the same time, some prefer the coaster areas. They are commonly seen in woodlands, fields, meadows, shrubs, gardens, and flower borders.
Blue butterflies vary in their wingspan, which usually ranges between 0.85 inches and 5.5 inches, and they sometimes exhibit color differences between genders, with males being primarily blue. At the same time, females can have completely different colors.
Also see: 22 Black And Yellow Butterflies: Pictures with Identifying Features
Join me, and let’s explore the world of these magnificent blue wonders as we introduced to you, 20 Common Species Of Blue Butterflies!
20 Common Species of Blue Butterflies
#1. Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)
The Common Blue butterfly is a common sight in several environments, living up to its name.
The Common Blue butterfly is considered medium size, with a 29–36 millimeters wing span.
While males often have bright, iridescent blue on their top wings, most noticeable while the butterflies are in flight, females tend to have a more subdued blue or brown.
Both sexes of Common Blue butterfly have tiny black patches on the front wings and a thin black border along the wing edges.
You will find the Common Blue in gardens, meadows, heathlands, and woodland edges and along roadsides.
The Common Blue butterfly’s larvae feed on various plants in the legume family, such as Clover, Bird’s-foot trefoil, Kidney vetch, Restharrow, and Sainfoin.
Plant these host plants or other nectar-rich flowers to attract Common Blues to your garden.
The Common Blue butterfly is still common in many areas. However, certain populations are in decline due to the destruction of habitat, the overuse of pesticides, and shifting approaches to land management.
They are most active during the warmer months, from May to October.
#2. Silver-Studded Blue (Plebejus argus)
The Silver-Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) butterfly is a beautiful species with a distinctive and complex wing design.
The blue color and silver markings on its wings make this butterfly stand out among the other Lepidoptera.
The Silver-Studded Blue butterfly is relatively small, with a 28–38 millimeters wing span.
The species gets its name from the silvery-white patches down its back and the tiny black markings on its upper wings.
Males have more prominent and noticeable silver spots, contributing to their attractiveness.
This butterfly can be seen in habitats like heathlands, grasslands, and coastal dunes.
It can be found in both Europe and portions of Asia. The Silver-Studded Blue is more common in these settings since it prefers sunny, well-drained places.
The Silver-Studded Blue’s mutualistic relationship with ants is only one of its fascinating habits.
To avoid being eaten by predators, butterfly caterpillars lure ants with sugary secretions.
Adult Silver-Studded Blues are nectar feeders; therefore, they frequent flowering plants for food.
The Silver-Studded Blue is a popular summertime attraction in many areas, with flight seasons typically running from June through August.
During this time, you may watch these beautiful creatures flit about for food and mates, flaunting their brilliant blue wings and exquisite silver markings.
#3. Karner Blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis)
The Karner Blue butterfly is unique among butterflies since it is only found in certain parts of North America.
The Karner Blue is a beautiful butterfly with silvery blue wings marked with elaborate black patterns.
This butterfly has a lovely and distinctive appearance, and its wingspan can range from 22 to 32 millimeters.
The Midwest and the Northeast are the primary regions where it is found in the United States.
You might see this butterfly in Pine barrens, oak savannas, and dunes.
The wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) is essential to the Karner Blue’s survival since it serves as a food source and a breeding ground for the species’ only known larval host plant.
The Karner Blue butterfly goes through the standard four-stage life cycle of eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.
The leaves of wild lupines are the only food source for the caterpillars.
One exciting thing about the Karner Blue is their symbiotic relationship with ants, who care for the caterpillars in exchange for honeydew secretions.
Loss of habitat and fragmentation caused by changes in land use and urbanization threaten the survival of the Karner Blue. Therefore, the United States government has declared it an endangered species.
Conservationists are planting wild lupine and managing landscapes to safeguard the butterfly’s survival.
#4. Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterflies are delicate and charming, bringing spring. With its delicate yet attractive appearance, nature lovers love this butterfly.
Small butterflies like the Spring Azure have 0.75–1.25-inch wingspan (approximately 2 to 3.2 centimeters).
Like early spring skies, its wings are delicate blue. The females’ wings are pale blue to white, whereas males are brighter blue.
Spring Azure butterflies are among the first to come in spring. It brings warmer days by blooming with wildflowers.
You will look for Spring Azures in woodlands, gardens, and meadows.
They love open settings with lots of nectar, so seeing them along roadsides and backyard gardens is easy.
The Spring Azure has four stages of its life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.
Caterpillars eat flower buds, young leaves, and petals. Interestingly, ants protect them from predators in exchange for honeydew.
As adults, Spring Azures gently sip nectar from many flowers.
Although not endangered, Spring Azures, like many butterfly species, can be affected by loss of habitat and pesticide use. Native wildflowers and chemical-free gardens can help them.
Spring Azures need nectar from early-blooming native flowers like violets, wild geraniums, and blueberry bushes.
#5. Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
Despite its modest appearance, the Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) butterfly’s appeal makes it a Lepidoptera gem.
One of the tiniest butterflies in North America, the Eastern Tailed-Blue, has a wingspan of 0.75 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm.
Its upper wings are exquisite blue, while its undersides are pale gray to light brown.
The species is named for its short “tail” at the hindwings.
The Eastern Tailed-Blue can live in meadows, open forests, gardens, and cities.
This butterfly species has numerous generations yearly, with adults arriving in warm months.
The Eastern Tail-Blue adults live only a few weeks.
Clover and alfalfa are legumes where females lay eggs. The green caterpillars with faint white stripes eat on these host plants before forming chrysalides and becoming adults.
Asters, clover, and dogbane attract Eastern Tailed-Blue nectar feeders. They may get nectar from tiny blossoms due to their small size and swift flight.
Eastern Tailed-Blues pollinate several plant species despite their modest size. Their interactions with flowers demonstrate ecosystem interdependence.
Although not endangered, the Eastern Tailed-Blue depends on its habitat and host plants.
Protecting open spaces and limiting pesticide use can help this lovely butterfly survive.
#6. Adonis Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus bellargus)
The Adonis Blue Butterfly lives in Europe and Asia. It is a small to medium-sized butterfly.
It is one of the most beautiful blue butterflies in the world, with bright blue wings with black edges on the males and brown wings with orange spots on the females.
The Adonis Blue Butterfly lives in dry, open meadows and heathlands.
The Adonis Blue Butterfly is a member of the Lycaenidae family.
The name “Adonis Blue Butterfly” comes from the Greek god Adonis, known for being handsome.
The Adonis Blue Butterfly only lives for about two to three weeks, a short time for a butterfly.
Adults fly from the end of April to the beginning of July.
The females of this butterfly lay their eggs on the leaves of a plant called horseshoe vetch, which the caterpillars eat.
The caterpillars spend the winter in the ground and come out in the spring.
Due to habitat loss and climate change, the number of Adonis Blue Butterflies is decreasing. In many countries, it is on the protected species list.
On its back wing, the male Adonis Blue Butterfly has a gland that releases a pheromone that attracts females.
The caterpillars of the Adonis Blue Butterfly only eat horseshoe vetch.
The Adonis Blue Butterfly is a mimicry butterfly, which looks like other butterflies that are more dangerous to keep predators away.
#7. Pea Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus dulcinea)
The Pea Blue Butterfly is a small butterfly in Asia and Europe. It belongs to the Lycaenidae family, including the Common Blue Butterfly and the Adonis Blue Butterfly.
The male Pea Blue Butterfly’s wings are bright blue with black edges. The female’s wings are brown with white spots.
The Pea Blue Butterfly lives in places like meadows, grasslands, and gardens, among other places.
Adults fly from the end of April to the beginning of July.
The females of these butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of the plant called bird’s-foot trefoil, which the caterpillars eat.
The caterpillars spend the winter in the ground and come out in the spring.
The Pea Blue Butterfly is going extinct because its habitat is disappearing and the climate is changing. In some countries, it is on a list of protected species.
#8. Purple Emperor Butterfly (Apatura iris)
The Purple Emperor Butterfly is a massive insect native to Asia and Europe.
With a wing span of up to 3 inches, it is one of Europe’s largest butterfly species. Males are a brilliant blue with black edging, while females are a more subdued brown with orange dots.
Woodlands are home to the Purple Emperor Butterfly, which drinks nectar from hawthorn and bramble blooms.
The Purple Emperor Butterfly, Monarch Butterfly, and Painted Lady Butterfly are members of the Nymphalidae family of butterflies.
Their name, “Purple Emperor Butterfly,” refers to the species’s regal purple tint.
The adult stage of this species’ migratory pattern occurs from late June to early September.
Females will deposit eggs on goat willow leaves, which the caterpillars will later consume. Caterpillars hibernate underground over the winter and reemerge in the spring.
The Purple Emperor Butterfly is a species under threat because of human interference and climate change. Many nations have designated it as a threatened or endangered species.
#9. Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho peleides):
The Blue Morpho Butterfly lives in Central and South America. It is a big butterfly.
With a wing span of up to 8 inches, it is one of the biggest butterflies in the world.
The male is bright blue with black edges, and the female is brown with white spots. The Blue Morpho Butterfly lives in tropical rainforests, feeding on the nectar of heliconia flowers.
The Blue Morpho Butterfly is in the Nymphalidae family, including the Monarch Butterfly and the Painted Lady Butterfly.
The Blue Morpho Butterfly gets its name from its bright blue color, caused by something called “structural coloration,” which changes how the body is built.
The butterfly’s wings have scales that are set up so that they reflect blue light.
The Blue Morpho Butterfly can live for up to six weeks, which is pretty long for a butterfly.
Adults fly from the end of April to the beginning of July.
The female butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of plants like Inga and Swartzia, which are in the pea family.
Adult Morpho butterflies are frugivores, or fruit feeders, and often feed on decaying fruits.
The Blue Morpho Butterfly can fly up to 30 miles per hour and is a fast flyer.
People in the Amazon rainforest like to use the Blue Morpho Butterfly as a symbol of beauty and hope.
#10. Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
The wingspan of a regular Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is between 2.5 to 4 inches, making it a medium-sized species.
Its glossy black wings include iridescent blue or greenish-blue accents, making for a stunning overall appearance.
It has a striking pattern of brilliant blue or green spots along the edges of its wings on the top side. The undersides of the wings have a similar color scheme.
Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies, both as larvae and adults, have very particular dietary needs.
This butterfly has poisonous chemicals; predators avoid eating caterpillars feeding on pipevine plants’ leaves (Aristolochia species).
Adult butterflies get their sustenance from the nectar of various flowering plants, including milkweed, thistles, and phlox.
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies can be spotted in various environments, from woods and gardens to fields and meadows.
Their caterpillars only eat pipevine; therefore, they tend to hang out in those places.
Sufficient food sources and resting places mean these butterflies can be spotted in natural and urban settings.
The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is a beautiful flier with a reputation for speed and agility.
Males are frequently spotted conducting patrols to find females in certain regions.
#11. Holly Blue
The Holly Blue butterfly, also known as the Celastrina argiolus, is a delicate and alluring species distinguished by its wings’ light blue color.
It can be found in both Europe and Asia and what distinguishes it from other species is that it favors holly and ivy as host plants.
The egg, the caterpillar, the pupa, and the adult are the stages that make up its life cycle.
Holly Blues have two broods a year, each of which contributes to pollination by feeding on the nectar of several flowers.
The fact that the species can only reproduce on specific host plants highlights the complex interdependencies that characterize the natural world.
#12. Echo Azure (Celastrina echo)
The Echo Azure (Celastrina echo) butterfly is a small yet captivating species known for its striking appearance and distinct habits.
It is typically 0.8 to 1.1 inches (22 to 29 mm) in size and has a pale blue top with a black border around the wings.
Its life cycle includes egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult stages.
The Echo Azure butterfly feeds on flower nectar, but its larvae also eat on the leaves of pea plants (Fabaceae). Clover, vetch, and alfalfa are among the plants on which the Echo Azure larvae eat.
The Echo Azure butterfly can be found in meadows, grasslands, and open woods in the southern United States and Mexico.
Echo Azure butterfly is more common in places with low to moderate disturbance levels.
You can look for Echo Azure butterflies in these regions during the spring and summer.
Planting flowers they enjoy grazing on, such as clover, vetch, and alfalfa, may attract them to your garden.
#13. Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon)
The Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) is a giant butterfly native to Asia, Australia, and Africa.
It has a bright blue upperside with black markings and a wingspan of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm). The wings’ undersides are brown with white markings.
The larvae of the Common Bluebottle butterfly eat on the leaves of trees belonging to the laurel family (Lauraceae), the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae), and the rue family (Rutaceae).
The adult of this butterfly feeds on the nectar of flowers (Rutaceae). The larvae of the Common Bluebottle eat different plant species, including, but not limited to, cinnamon trees, camphor trees, and eucalyptus trees.
The Common Bluebottle butterfly can make its home in environments like woodlands, gardens, and public parks. It is especially prevalent in places with damp and shady characteristics.
There are good chances of spotting Common Bluebottle butterflies in these regions throughout the year’s warmer months.
They can be enticed to your garden by growing Lantana camara, Tecoma stans, and Tabebuia impetiginosa, which are among their favorite flowers.
#14. Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya)
The Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya) butterfly can be seen in Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Its wingspan is between 2.5 and 3 inches, making it a medium-sized butterfly. Female wings are brown with blue patterns, whereas male wings are bright blue with black margins.
Although the adult Blue Pansy butterfly relies on flower nectar for sustenance, its caterpillars consume leaves from different plants belonging to the Acanthaceae, Annonaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Verbenaceae, and Violaceae families (Violaceae).
Larvae of the Blue Pansy butterfly feed on a variety of plants, including Indian borage (Achyranthes aspera), wild tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and morning glory (Ipomoea indica).
The Blue Pansy butterfly is found in gardens, grasslands, and woodlands. It is more prevalent in places with plenty of sunshine and wide spaces.
These regions are good places to look for Blue Pansy butterflies in the spring and summer.
You can also try growing flowers that they enjoy eating, including Indian borage, wild tobacco, and morning glory, to entice them to your garden.
#15. Lupine Blue (Plebejus lupine)
The Lupine Blue butterfly is native to the western regions of the United States and Canada. It can range in size from 0.7 to 1 inch (18 to 25 mm) and has a light blue top with a black border around the wings.
The underside of the wings is spotted with white and has a gray coloration.
Lupine Blue butterflies drink nectar from flowers, but their larvae eat only the leaves of certain types of wild buckwheat (Polygonaceae), such as sulfur blossom (Eriogonum umbellatum) and flat top buckwheat (Eriogonum glaucum) (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
The Lupine Blue butterfly lives in a wide range of environments, from mountain meadows and slopes to grasslands and rocky outcrops, as well as chaparral and sagebrush. It thrives in arid, open environments.
These regions are good places to look for Lupine Blue butterflies in the spring and summer.
Sulfur flowers and flat tops are two examples of nectar-rich blooms that can attract them to your yard.
#16. Blue Tiger
The Blue Tiger butterfly (Tirumala hamata) is a widespread species that flutters across Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The insect’s wing span is roughly 2.5–3 inches (6.4 to 7.6 cm). Males have iridescent blue wings with black margins, while females are brown with blue spots.
Adult Blue Tiger butterflies feed on flower nectar, while their caterpillar stages consume only milkweed leaves (Asclepiadaceae).
Blue Tiger caterpillars eat various plants, including milkweed, butterfly bush, and trumpet vine.
The Blue Tiger butterfly is a widespread species that frequents woodlands, gardens, and even the sides of roads. Sunny, open environments are ideal for its growth.
If you are looking for Blue Tiger butterflies, you should look in these places during the spring and summer.
You should have the best chance of finding them. Planting flowers in your garden that butterflies and moths enjoy feeding on, such as milkweed, butterfly bush, and trumpet vine, may also be an effective way to entice them to visit your yard.
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Conclusion: 20 Common Species Of Blue Butterflies (Identifying Features and Pictures)
We gained a better understanding of the minor differences that set each butterfly species apart as we worked our way through identifying the 20 most common species of blue butterflies.
By gaining an awareness of these butterflies’ unique characteristics, environments, and behaviors, we can develop a more profound respect for the intricate web of biodiversity that covers our globe.
This article’s goal was to serve as a complete guide, assisting both novices and professionals in recognizing and appreciating these delicate creatures through images and descriptions.
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