Spring Azure
Celastrina ladon
April 21, 2012
 


  Update, 6 May 2012: When I first put up this page, I had the sexes of the spring azure mixed up. Sorry about that!

The spring azure (Celastrina ladon) is a fingernail-size butterfly that I generally see as a twinkling lavender or periwinkle as it flies close to the ground.

The spring azure adds tiny highlights to any meadow. I suppose, in a sense, it can be thought of as a daytime firefly.

The upper-wing view is more typical, and although tiny, the spring azure has an intricate and delicate pattern.
 

Spring azure, wings up
 
  The female spring azure has a dark outer band over her brlliant lavender, as seen in the next photo in which the upper wings are partially visible.
 
Female spring azure, with upper wing visible
 
  The male spring azure is somewhat lighter in color than the female, and I was lucky enough last year to have an upper-wing photo.
 
Male spring azure, upper wing view
 
  Spring azures add the highlights that make a morning walk all the more enjoyable.

Photo note: I used the Pentax K20D, with the Voigtlander 125mm macro lens, in March 2011, for the first photo, and the Sigma 150-500mm lens, for the following two photos, taken in March and April 2012, respectively.



My Pennsylvania butterfly page

Look Out!   |   Contact