subfamily
Blues
Polyommatinae
Field notes
Polyommatinae, the blues, are a diverse subfamily of gossamer-winged butterflies (family Lycaenidae). This subfamily of butterfly was discovered in 1775. The group takes its name from its type genus Polyommatus; this scientific name means "(one of) many eyes" (poly-+ommatos), referencing the ocelli on their wings. The blues derive their common name from the coloration of males in most species.
These butterflies have been considered one of the poorest studied groups within the family Lycaenidae. This subfamily was long used to assign taxa of unclear relationships (incertae sedis), and its contents and phylogeny are still in need of revision.
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Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Most observed native blues All
Native to the US, by observations.
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Summer Azure
Celastrina neglecta
33,888 observations
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Ceraunus Blue Hemiargus ceraunus 28,085 observations
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Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
25,522 observations
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Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
25,123 observations
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Echo Azure
Celastrina echo
22,348 observations
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Reakirt's Blue
Echinargus isola
21,110 observations
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Western Pygmy-Blue
Brephidium exilis
20,570 observations
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Acmon Blue
Icaricia acmon
19,287 observations
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Northern Azure
Celastrina lucia
14,990 observations
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Boisduval's Blue
Icaricia icarioides
13,768 observations
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Northern Blue
Plebejus idas
10,433 observations
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Melissa Blue
Plebejus melissa
6,979 observations
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Spring Azure
Celastrina ladon
6,307 observations
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Arctic Blue
Agriades glandon
3,955 observations
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Bernardino Blue
Euphilotes bernardino
3,675 observations