Photo courtesy Pete Williams, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Copyright (c) 2007 Pete Williams
June 22, 2007

Photo copyrighted Will Cook North Carolina Butterflies A web site

Identification: The wing span is 1-1/4 to 1-5/8 inches. The upperside is iridescent blue with black borders. The underside is grayish brown. The white post-median line is edged with black and forming a white M (or W) near tail. There will be a white spot near the costa base. Three broods fly from February to October in the northern states; four in Florida. The caterpillar host plants are Live oak and other oak species.

Adult food: is nectar from a variety of flowers including viburnum, sumac, sourwood, wild plum, poinsettia, sweet pepperbush, common milkweed, lantana, dogwood, and goldenrod.

Its preferred habitat is woods and near broadleaf trees.