[Ctleps-l] West Rock Ridge St. Park, New Haven

[Steve Walter]

“the Spring Azures I am used to seeing that have a darker ground color with those large, black blotches and dark hindwing margin” would pertain to Celastrina lucia or Northern Azure. Among other spring only species of azure, one that should be widespread in Connecticut is Celastrina ladon, which has been referred to as Edward’s Azure, in addition to Spring Azure. From what I’ve read, in some areas (probably to the south), this and the spring form of Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) are very similar. Males of Edward’s Azure are distinctly identified under a microscope by their unique overlapping wing scales. Fresh Edward’s are a bit more violet colored above than other azures. I wish I had more of a sample of pictures from Connecticut and mainland New York, but what I do have suggests that Edward’s at our latitude do have some darkening in the ventral disc or margin. So Lenny, while you may very well be correct in your identification of a Summer Azure, it may not be as simple as ruling out Northern Azure. 

 

It was recently confirmed that both ladon and lucia occur at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County, NY. So it is quite possible that these two spring species occur together in Connecticut locales. Should I be thankful that I don’t have this problem on Long Island? Probably not. I’d have a better sample of ladon pictures. And I have another wrinkle, anyway. Cherry Gall Azures often occur in the same places as Northern (lucia). But they do come out later, at least, so they’re not fresh at the same time.

 

So if you’ve read this far and find this azure stuff interesting and / or fun – as opposed to repulsive – here’s my annual invitation to check out a series of pictures of every azure variation I could get. This can be found at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__stevewalternature.com_&d=DwIFaQ&c=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=DxSBJXRvd7MQp-AlXAtLeydve7SiywLWLcinsn9EdPE&m=BIH7mNYNGWhDTDQVy299tIxll1oTW_URZEeAdZC15aA&s=S_4DXi2YXLIWMNvWUuhrh5otwgfKrdBWqhGk-lkIl6E&e= (click the butterflies tab, then look for the Azures gallery). 

 

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY

 

From: Ctleps-l [mailto:ctleps-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Lenny Brown
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2018 5:35 PM
To: ctleps-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Ctleps-l] West Rock Ridge St. Park, New Haven

 

Saturday, April 28th- Once the sun came out and temperatures warmed up, I visited the south end of the park, specifically the southern overlook parking lot and the adjacent picnic area where I was able to find the following butterflies:

 

Cabbage White (1)

Falcate Orangetip (2-3) 

Summer Azure (1) (spring brood)

Mourning Cloak (1)

 

I based the azure species identification on the fact that this individual was very white underneath with small, very black spots; very unlike the Spring Azures I am used to seeing that have a darker ground color with those large, black blotches and dark hindwing margin.

 

On the drive home, I noticed a number of Cabbage Whites on the wing.

 

Lenny Brown

Wallingford 

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