Azures

[Steve Walter]

I've always loved this subject, so let me get my two cents in. I think the
one azure approach is the cowardly way out (nothing personal to anyone --
well maybe Edwards or Klots or whoever started things down this path). Here
on Long Island, there are good populations of "Cherry Gall" Azure. Just in
comparison to "Spring" Azures, they look different (all are bigger and the
uncommon lucia form is marked differently), fly at a different time (May
into June), feed on a different host, do not occur in all of the same
places, and consequently do not interbreed with the earlier populations.
What more does it take to rate species status -- different call note? And
now that I think of it, don't all those differences exist in Appalachian
Azure, which somehow (political action committee?) did get the necessary
support to get species status.

Steve Walter