Wing span: 2.2-3.2 cm.
Flight time: Early-May to early-June.
Status: Breeding resident.
Distinguishing features: Its almost metallic, blue iridescent on the upper wing surface distinguishes this species. The females have a darker margin than the males. The under wing surface is dark gray below with a row of white bordered black spots on the forewing and a row of smaller dots on the hindwing.
Distribution and habitat: This butterfly is rare and local in the northwest and northern counties; also known from a single site in Shimek State Forest in the far southeast of the state. Populations are limited to native prairie and open, dry forest, and are usually small.
Natural History: Larvae consume native vetches (Vicia spp.) and perhaps other native legumes. Ants often tend them. Adults are often found nectaring on wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).
**
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
328347 | 2022-06-08 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 1 |
309503 | 2022-05-14 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Judy Erickson | 1 |
309504 | 2022-05-14 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Judy Erickson | 1 |
328346 | 2022-05-14 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | IBSN | 3 |
187074 | 2014-03-19 | Orange County, California | California | Location Protected | Jim Durbin | 1 |
56653 | 2008-06-01 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
56661 | 2006-06-02 | Cherokee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jerry Selby | 1 |
56660 | 2006-05-19 | Cherokee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jerry Selby | 6 |
56659 | 2006-05-18 | Cherokee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jerry Selby | 13 |
248007 | 2005-05-31 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 2 |
248002 | 2005-05-20 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 4 |
247998 | 2005-05-10 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 2 |
56654 | 2003-05-13 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 4 |
107191 | 1999-05-19 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107198 | 1999-05-19 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107186 | 1999-05-08 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107193 | 1999-05-08 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107183 | 1996-05-30 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107181 | 1995-05-12 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 5 |
56657 | 1993-05-31 | Buena Vista County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107184 | 1993-05-15 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
56651 | 1992-05-19 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
107188 | 1992-05-15 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107195 | 1992-05-15 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107192 | 1992-05-08 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107199 | 1992-05-08 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107190 | 1991-05-16 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107197 | 1991-05-16 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107200 | 1991-05-14 | Clay County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107180 | 1991-05-10 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107189 | 1990-05-21 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107196 | 1990-05-21 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107179 | 1990-05-14 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107178 | 1990-05-04 | Sac County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dave Cuthrell | 1 |
56655 | 1989-05-29 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56656 | 1989-05-27 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Mark Leoschke | 1 |
107182 | 1989-05-23 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107187 | 1989-05-23 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107194 | 1989-05-23 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107185 | 1989-05-14 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107201 | 1989-05-14 | Worth County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Tim Orwig | 1 |
107203 | 1989-05-14 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
107204 | 1989-05-14 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Ron Harms | 1 |
56662 | 1989-05-11 | Cherokee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | John W Fleckenstein | 1 |
56646 | 1989-05-09 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | John W Fleckenstein | 1 |
56647 | 1989-05-02 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | John W Fleckenstein | 1 |
56643 | 1988-05-15 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56644 | 1988-05-05 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Jeff Nekola | 1 |
56658 | 1980-05-15 | Hancock County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Mike Overton | 1 |
56652 | 1977-05-15 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Dennis Schlicht | 1 |
56648 | 1974-06-05 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J C Downey | 1 |
56649 | 1973-06-08 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J C Downey | 1 |
56645 | 1973-06-06 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J C Downey | 1 |
56650 | 1973-06-06 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J C Downey | 1 |
107202 | 1972-05-28 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | J C Downey | 1 |
3484 | 1950-05-15 | Allamakee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3485 | 1950-05-15 | Buena Vista County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3486 | 1950-05-15 | Cherokee County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3487 | 1950-05-15 | Clay County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3488 | 1950-05-15 | Dickinson County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3489 | 1950-05-15 | Emmet County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3490 | 1950-05-15 | Howard County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3491 | 1950-05-15 | Pocahontas County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3492 | 1950-05-15 | Sac County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
3493 | 1950-05-15 | Worth County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |