Azure Complex

The Maine Butterfly Survey recognizes two Celastrina species in the state, Northern Azure (C. lucia) and Summer Azure (C. neglecta), and both occur at the Wells Reserve.

The species and forms that make up the Celastrina genus have been debated by experts for decades. Additional labels applied to these butterflies in our area include Spring Azure, Cherry Gall Azure (C. serotina), New England Azure, "ladon," "marginata," and "violacea." While lepidopterists strive to elucidate azure relationships, we are taking a conservative approach for now, lumping the forms together on one page.