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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Butterflies and Skippers (Papilionoidea) » Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters (Lycaenidae) » Blues (Polyommatinae) » Tailed Blues (Cupido) » Western Tailed-Blue - Hodges#4362 (Cupido amyntula)
Photo#93369
Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula
Copyright © 2007 Ron Hemberger

Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula
Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, Orange County, California, USA
January 21, 2007
Usually, the small blues won't open their wings. This one wouldn't have it any other way. I thought ID would be easy, but so far no. Apparently, it's either tailed or some sort of hairstreak. Size is like Marine Blue.

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Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula Contrary Blue - Cupido amyntula
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Contributed by Ron Hemberger on 21 January, 2007 - 11:07pm
Last updated 6 July, 2010 - 11:33am

Western Tailed Blue looks right
That was my suspicion, and it was also suggested independently by Peter Bryant. I'm moving the post to that section, based primarily on process of elimination and this photo:

http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/western_tailed_blue.htm

Color is most like my 4th photo. Note the single dark dot on the inside of the wing, plus the thin tail.
… Ron Hemberger, 25 January, 2007 - 6:35pm login or register to post comments

Sunning?
In cool weather like we've been having, one would expect butterflies to keep their wings open to maximize solar warmth
… Chuck Entz, 22 January, 2007 - 12:44am login or register to post comments

 
Good thought, but I dunno
Monarchs at the same site are open as often as they normally are. I saw a Mourning Cloak elsewhere, and, for the most part, it kept its wings closed. All three were in sun.
… Ron Hemberger, 22 January, 2007 - 11:24am login or register to post comments

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