Sunday 22 October 2000

Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cupido ("Cupid") comyntas

 

Adult Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas) at Illinois, USA - August 2024


Featured Subspecies: Cupido comyntas comyntas
Wingspan: 2.1-2.9cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that lays their eggs on members of the pea family - their catepillars are unusual in that they prefer to feed on flowers rather than leaves. As with other tailed butterflies, the tails function as decoys for predator attack, resembling antenna which predators may grasp instead of it's head.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Lycanidae 
Genus: Cupido
SUBSPECIES: C. c. comyntas, C. c. sissona, C. c. texana

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found throughout th Eastern Half of the US, and the West Coast.
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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