Northern Azure - Celastrina lucia (Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae, Polyommatini) 120z-5078614

Here in Alberta, Spring Azures are usually the first of the non-overwintering butterflies to emerge in spring. There are three colour forms which can be identified by their underside wing patterns. This one is "lucia", with a large dark patch in the centre of the hindwing. "Violacea", the least common of the three forms, is much lighter beneath with only a sprinkling of dark spots. This morph is so similar to the European Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) that Spring Azures were originally thought to be the same species.

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