Spring Azure (LEP74c) Celastrina argiolus

A favorite herald of spring. An early-season female is shown with deep violet-blue and prominent black borders on the forewings and marginal spots on the hindwings. As is true with many blues, its fringe is whitish. Because its caterpillars feed on buds and blowers of many kinds of native shrubs, the Spring Azure occurs very widely. Shown here examining Indian plum.