Western Tailed-Blue (Cupido amyntula)

Description: This is a small blue butterfly very similar to Eastern Tailed-Blue. See Description of that species. Wingspan: 17 to 27 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Northern and northeastern New Brunswick, along the Miramichi and its tributaries west, at least, to Doaktown and Sisson Gorge. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: -. PEI: -.

Flight Period: Early June to mid July.

Host Plant: A variety of herbaceous legumes (Fabaceae), including vetches (Vicia spp.) and peavines (Lathyrus spp.).

Subspecies: Only the maritima subspecies occurs in the Maritimes. Described in 1985, this subspecies is otherwise limited to Maine and the Gaspé Peninsula.

Notes: This species is found a variety of open, often disturbed, habitats, from roadsides to old fields and the edges of salt marshes where Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) grows. It is highly localized, often occupying only small areas of much larger fields.