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Summer Azure |
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| Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards, 1862) |
| Status: Common resident. |
| Flight Period(s): There are three to four broods in Nebraska where adults have been found from 26 April - 29 August. |
| Range: range |
| Larval Hostplant(s): Chokecherry and Dogwood flowers are the primary food sources although others are likely fed upon as well. |
| Overwinter: As pupae. |
| Commentary/Habitat: In recent years North American members of this genus have been under almost constant revision. According to some authorities C. ladon – which flies in multiple broods beginning in April - is widespread in the state. Under this scenario neglecta is a separate multiple brooded species first appearing in June, after which time the two species could be found flying together. Summer individuals of the two “species” are virtually indistingusable in the field. Other authorities do not list C. ladon as occuring in Nebraska, instead considering populations from all but the westernmost portions of the state to be Celastrina neglecta. Steve Spomer has reared larvae from spring “ladon” to adults who appear to be identical to summer flying “neglecta”. As there is no clearcut consensus on taxonomy, for this work we will consider all eastern Nebraska material to be neglecta. This butterfly is most often found along forest margins or treed roadways. They are seldom observed at nectar, but are occasionally found at mud. Although spring flying (late April to early May) adults are not uncommon in the eastern third of the state they are rare in central Nebraska. In central areas the largest flight is normally in early to mid June. |
| Similar Species: Spring Azure. |