Spring Azure
Celastrina ladon
Summary
This tiny blue beauty is a true harbinger of spring and can be seen flying very early in the season, nectaring on a variety of early flowers such as black cherry, wild plum, and dogwood. Larvae feed on the flowers and fruits of these plants as well. This diet causes the caterpillars to exude honeydew, a sugary substance prized by ants, who protect the larvae while feeding on the sweet treat.
More Details
FAMILY
Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged)
IDENTIFICATION
Average wingspan 0.75-1.75 inches. Dorsal side blue to violet-blue. Males are more violet-blue on top of wings; females may have black at outer edge of forewing. Wing fringes checkered. Under surface medium gray with various small dark markings.
HABITAT
Deciduous woods with clearing, trails, and edges.
LIFE CYCLE
One brood. Pupa overwinters. Males puddle.
HOST PLANTS
Floral buds of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), viburnums (Viburnum prunifolium, V. acerifolium) and black cherry (Prunus serontina)
Ecosystem Connections
Spring Azures are an excellent example of mutualism (a mutually beneficial interaction between two different species). In this case, the caterpillars provide ants with sugary honeydew to eat, while the caterpillars are protected by the ants from insect predators. Because butterflies are so sensitive to toxins and disturbances in the environment, they are good indicators of the overall health of ecosystems.