Other Common Names
Late Spring Azure.
Late Spring Azure was suggested as the more appropriate name by the authors. Could be that as the caterpillar feeds on many other plants than cherry galls, the name Cherry Gall Azure might have been confusing.
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Part of the Spring Azure complex of species. Described as a new species by Pavulaan and Wright (2005).
Explanation of Names
serotina: from the Latin sero or serus meaning "coming late". In a biological sense meaning coming later in the season than the Spring Azure.
Identification
One of the Azure species that has pale wing surfaces on the underside. Perhaps best separated by its size, distribution, and time of flight.
2 images to date (22 Jan 06) in the Guide: #16426 ventral male, #34126 dorsal female
Pavulaan & Wright (2005) give a very detailed description.
Range
Nova Scotia to eastern Ontario (Lake Huron), south to Virginia and Rhode Island
Habitat
All habitats within its range, including suburban lawn and garden areas
Season
Flight season about 4 weeks in any one location. Flies between the earlier Spring Azure and the later Summer Azure. Extreme dates are early May to early July. Flies in the early part of this period in its most southern range, and in the latter part of this period in its northern range. Emerges after Spring Azure and before Summer Azure.
Food
In southern part of range, caterpillars feed almost exclusively on galls on the upper surface of leaves of
Black Cherry (
Prunus serotina). Other food is utilized in northern part of range including:
Viburnum, Diervilla, Aralia, Ceanothus, Cornus.
Life Cycle
Single brooded (1 generation per year)
Print References
Pavulaan, H. and D.M. Wright. 2005. Celastrina serotina (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae): A new butterfly species from the northeastern United States and Canada. The Taxonomic Report 6(6): 1-18. 25 figures.
Internet References
abstract; PDF doc of the above-cited paper by Pavulaan and Wright (The International Lepidoptera Survey, The Taxonomic Report)
