Blue butterflies come in a stunning array of shades and sizes from the tiny Spring Azure to the imposing Blue Morpho with an 8 inch wingspan. While true blue pigment is rare in the animal kingdom structural colors produce the brilliant blues of many butterfly species. Let’s take a closer look at some of these beautiful insects.
Common Blue Butterflies in North America
Some of the most frequently sighted blue butterflies in North America include
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Red-spotted Admiral: With black wings that fade to powder blue at the edges, accented by orange dots. Common in Eastern and Southern states.
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Pipevine Swallowtail: Shimmering blue underside to black wings. Mainly found in the Southeast and Western California.
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Holly Blue: Uniform violet-blue coloring on males, with black wing margins on females. Active in spring and summer generations.
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Spring Azure: Both genders have violet-blue upper wings lined in black and white. Flies early in warm coastal areas.
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Silvery Blue: Iridescent blue males and darker blue females frequent meadows and streams. Two broods emerge from March to August.
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Summer Azure: Powder blue wings lightly dusted in white, with black edging. Favors eastern fields and prairies.
Vivid Tropical Species
The tropics host some of the most vibrant blue butterfly species like:
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Blue Morpho: Brilliant iridescent blue flashes from its 5-8 inch wingspan. Males are bright blue, females are brown.
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Great Mormon: Huge black swallowtail butterfly with vivid blue patches on hindwings.
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Common Jay: Asian species with transparent blue wing sections and vivid blue body.
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Blue Pansy: Black and orange wings with iridescent blue patches, found in Africa and Australia.
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Spangle: Black and white streaked forewings with shimmering blue and orange hindwings. Native to Asia.
Blue Butterflies Around the World
While North America and the tropics boast many blue species, you can also spot beautiful blue butterflies in:
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Europe: Adonis Blue, Mazarine Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Large Blue
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Asia: Common Hedge Blue, Southern White Admiral, Blue Admiral
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Australia: Small Green Banded Blue
No matter which continent you find yourself on, keep an eye out for a flash of vibrant blue fluttering by. You may catch sight of one of hundreds of gorgeous blue butterfly species.
Some blue butterflies are widespread and common, while others have highly restricted ranges or are endangered. But all contribute to the dazzling diversity of the natural world.
Blue Butterfly Identification Tips
Identifying blue butterflies to species can be tricky, but here are a few tips:
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Note the shade of blue – dark, light, or iridescent.
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Check for any black markings on the wings.
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Watch for vivid spots or bands of color like orange, white or metallic hues.
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Consider the size – is it a smaller butterfly (wingspan under 1.5″) or larger (over 3″)?
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Notice wing shape – are the hindwings tailed or rounded?
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Check location – what part of the country or habitat?
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Be aware of gender differences – females are often brown.
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Compare to guides to narrow down possibilities.
With practice, you’ll start noticing subtle distinguishing features between similar blue species in your area.
The Magic of Blue Butterfly Wings
So how do butterflies produce their dazzling blue hues? Blue occurs through structural coloration, rather than blue pigment.
Tiny scales on the wings refract light, scattering blue wavelengths. This photonic nanostructure amplifies and reflects the blue color. Some butterflies even have microscopic ridges on each scale for a stronger blue effect.
For iridescent species like the Blue Morpho, variations in scale structure cause the color to shift dramatically with viewing angle. The underside of the wings look dull brown because the structures are arranged differently.
This remarkable phenomenon allows butterflies to flash their brilliant blues as they flit through sun-dappled forests!
Enjoying Blue Beauties in Your Garden
Want to attract shimmering blue butterflies to your own backyard? Here are some tips:
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Plant blue, purple, yellow or red blossoms that butterflies are naturally drawn to.
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Include plenty of flat stones or sandy soil where butterflies can bask in the sun.
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Provide a shallow water source like a birdbath, stream or pool.
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Avoid pesticides that can be toxic to butterflies and caterpillars.
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Include host plants for caterpillars like native milkweed and snapdragons.
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Set up a butterfly house or net enclosure to observe them up close!
With the right habitat, you’ll be amazed at the variety of blues that visit your garden. Grab your camera and enjoy documenting your new fluttery friends!
The dazzling world of blue butterflies offers endless wonders. By learning more about their identification, habitats and life cycles, you gain a deeper appreciation for their beauty and diversity in nature. Keep an eye out for a flash of iridescent blue the next time you’re outside!
Mission Blue Butterfly
The Mission blue butterfly (MBB) is an exceptionally striking butterfly species. The upper wings of the male butterflies display a vivid iridescent blue, a color rarely seen in nature, while females are brown, often with a blue shimmering overlay. Both females and males are marked with dark spots on their undersides.
With a wingspan just over an inch, the MBB inhabits windy hilltops in select Bay Area locations, notably San Bruno Mountain, the Marin Headlands, and Twin Peaks. Urbanization and the spread of invasive plant species have severely reduced viable Mission blue habitat within San Francisco. In 1976, the federal government listed the Mission blue butterfly as an endangered species and granted it special protection under the law. The decline of lupine, the MBB host plant, contributed to their disappearance from San Francisco.
In spring of 2009, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (SFRPD) initiated its Natural Resources Division, aiming to increase MBB populations in the city through translocations and habitat management. Twenty-two female Mission Blue Butterflies were transferred from San Bruno Mountain to Twin Peaks, and efforts to plant lupine and other native wildflowers intensified. 15 years later, the MBB recovery project at Twin Peaks Natural Area has seen continued success. Monitoring MBB eggs emerged as a successful strategy for tracking conservation progress, providing reliable estimates of the butterfly population. By closely monitoring MBB eggs, researchers estimated a population of 128 females in 2023, similar to the previous year. This is a remarkable increase from the low numbers observed in earlier years, indicating positive trends in population recovery.
Habitat management remains a crucial initiative, with ongoing efforts to maintain grassland habitats and increase the number of lupine host plants. Lupine planting has significantly scaled up, with thousands of seeds planted in strategic locations to support butterfly populations. Other habitat management efforts include scrub removal, weed control, and trail maintenance, all of which are ongoing priorities to create an ideal environment for MBBs to thrive. Additionally, plans for future translocations and continued monitoring underscore the commitment to ensuring the long-term success of the MBB recovery project.
Looking ahead, priority tasks for 2024 include repeating the lupine mapping/census, continuing habitat management efforts, and monitoring the MBB population through larval and egg surveys. While translocations may not be necessary in 2024 due to stable population estimates, ongoing collaboration, and funding support from organizations like the Disney Butterfly Conservation Initiative, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and the University of Florida remain crucial for sustaining conservation efforts and preserving the Mission blue butterfly population at Twin Peaks.
Blue Butterflies
FAQ
What species of butterfly is blue?
- Common blue.
- Holly blue.
- Silver-studded blue.
- Small blue.
- Adonis blue.
- Chalkhill blue.
- Large blue.
- Brown argus.
What does it mean when you see blue butterflies?
Blue butterflies symbolize the powerful emotions surrounding joy, hope, and beauty. Many believe they can help your wishes come true and bring good luck. Blue butterflies can signal transformation, rebirth, or oncoming change and have become icons of hope for those overcoming mental health challenges.
How rare is it to see a blue butterfly?
There is only one known population remaining on a few uninhabited islands in Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, making the Miami blue one of the most critically endangered butterflies in North America. Efforts are being made to save this species.
What is a common blue butterfly?
The common blue butterfly or European common blue (Polyommatus icarus) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae and subfamily Polyommatinae. The butterfly is found throughout the Palearctic and has been introduced to North America. Butterflies in the Polyommatinae are collectively called blues, from the coloring of the wings.
Where do blue butterflies live?
Butterflies of this group are mostly found in forests. They live in both Atlantic and Amazon forests. The blue color comes from iridescence, which means the color blue is a light reflection.
Where does a blue butterfly come from?
The butterfly is found throughout the Palearctic and has been introduced to North America. Butterflies in the Polyommatinae are collectively called blues, from the coloring of the wings. Common blue males usually have wings that are blue above with a black-brown border and a white fringe.
Where can you find the Large Blue butterfly?
The Large Blue is a rare species of butterfly that can be found in Europe and Asia. It is known for its unique life cycle. The Common Blue is a remarkable and beautiful butterfly species that brings delight and wonder to many people.
Which butterflies are blue in color?
Several of our favorite butterflies are shades of blue in coloration, like those shown below: Acmon Blue Butterfly, Blue Metalmark Butterfly, and the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides) found mostly in South America, Mexico, and Central America.
What is the wingspan of a blue butterfly?
blue butterfly, (subfamily Polyommatinae), any member of a group of insects in the widely distributed Lycaenidae family of common butterflies (order Lepidoptera). Adults are small and delicate, with a wingspan of 18 to 38 mm (0.75 inch to 1.5 inches). They are rapid fliers and are usually distinguished by iridescent blue wings.