Butterflies of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
Common Name: Scientific Name:
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Scientific Name begins with:
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Number of records: 249,714
Related Species in LYCAENIDAE:
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Common NameEastern Tailed-Blue by Scott Hartley => Weymouth Woods-SNP, 2003-07-15
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Scientific NameCupido comyntas
Link to BAMONA species account.
MapClick on a county for list of all database records for the species in that county.
Flight Chart
Common NameEastern Tailed-Blue
Scientific NameCupido comyntas
DistributionDISTRIBUTION: Statewide; certainly occurs in all NC counties.
AbundanceABUNDANCE: Very common to abundant in most areas in the Mountains and Piedmont; however, it is mainly just uncommon to fairly common in most of the Coastal Plain, where there are few daily counts in double digits. It can be quite hard to find near the immediate coast. One of the most numerous butterflies in much of NC, particularly from July to October. It is not overly common in April and May.
FlightFLIGHT PERIOD: Probably four or five broods, but the broods essentially overlap within a given province; a continuous flight from late March to late October, sparingly from late February to late November.
HabitatHABITAT: A very widespread species; seemingly found nearly anywhere, especially in open country with much herbaceous vegetation; woodland borders, powerline clearings, fields, meadows, savannas, vacant lots, etc. Usually seen flying low to the ground, among or near grasses and forbs.
PlantsFOOD AND NECTAR PLANTS: Foodplants are herbaceous species of legumes (Fabaceae). It has a very wide variety of nectar flowers, though it often perches on the ground or on leaves. Nectaring occurs manly on low-growing flowers within a foot of the ground.
CommentsCOMMENTS: This species is usually outnumbered in spring by various azure species, which precede the Eastern Tailed-Blue on the wing. By midsummer, the Eastern Tailed-Blue is often an abundant species, though its very small size and habit of flying close to the ground make it easy to overlook. It is one of the most often seen butterflies in September and October; 25 or more can often be seen in a day.
State Status (first) and Rank (second)none - S5
Federal Status (first) and Global Rank (second)none - G5
SynonymEveres comyntas
Other Name
Links to other butterfly galleries: [Cook] [Lynch] [Pippen] [Pugh]
Photo Gallery for Eastern Tailed-Blue
Photo by: Scott Hartley
Comment: Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore Co.;, 2005-Apr-10; male
Eastern Tailed-Blue - Click to enlarge 		Photo by: B. Bockhahn
Comment: Falls Lake State Recreation Area, 2002-Sep-03
Eastern Tailed-Blue - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Roger Rittmaster
Comment: Durham Co.
Eastern Tailed-Blue - Click to enlarge 		Photo by: Salman Abdulali
Comment: 2012-Apr-01. Pitt County Arboretum; female
Eastern Tailed-Blue - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Joe Mickey
Comment: Wilkes Co.
Eastern Tailed-Blue - Click to enlarge