Eastern Tailed Blue
(Everes comyntas)

Eastern Tailed Blue are common throughout the spring and summer in open, disturbed areas. The amount of blue on the dorsal surface is highly variable. Eastern tailed blues can be distinguished from other blues, such as the Spring Azure by the presence of tails on their hindwings. They generally are seen with their wings folded and can be distinguished by the small tails under the orange and black spot on the hindwing. They are wary and can be difficult to approach even when feeding. Generally when perched the wings are held vertically and the hindwings are rubbed together in an up and down fashion.

Eastern tailed blues can be seen from April through October, but reach a peak in late summer. They can be quite common in mowed grassy areas and are often be seen visiting a variety of clovers. This mating pair was photographed at the BFEC prairie in late August. When disturbed they flew several feet before perching. Eastern tailed blues have been reported to have three to five broods a year in Ohio.