Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola)

Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola) is a small butterfly that can be found fluttering gracefully in various regions across North America. It belongs to the monotypic genus Echinargus belonging to the Lycaenidae family of butterflies. Its mesmerizing wings span just under an inch, adorned with a delicate blue hue that captures the essence of tranquility. Despite its unassuming size, this species possesses an undeniable charm that draws the attention of nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Reakirt's Blue is native to the western parts of the United States all the way to Nicaragua, primarily dwelling in open grasslands, meadows, and prairies. I met this butterfly in California for the first time feeding on the flowers of White Trailing Iceplant (Delosperma litorale).

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Zebra Blue Butterflies (Leptotes)

Genus Leptotes in the butterfly family Licaenidae is group of species with intricate patterns on their underwings. Linnaeus encountered this genus and described as Papilio pirithous in 1767 in his Systema naturae. Later Scudder grouped two American species into genus Leptotes. Worldwide there are now about 25 species in this genus, distributed mainly in Afro-tropical and Neo-tropical regions, but the lone Indo-Australian species placement is a bit uncertain.

So far I met four species of these group. The first one is obviously the Indo-Australian species: Leptotes plinius or the Zebra Blue. This was in India, however it has a very wide distribution. I have interacted with this butterfly numerous times.   

Second species of the group that I have met is Leptotes cassius or the Cassius Blue. This species is distributed in Florida and Texas all the way down to South America. This butterfly can be seen around Plumbago or few other Fabaceae plants. 

The third species is Leptotes pirithous or the Lang's Short-tailed Blue, who I met in Haifa, Israel. When I saw both these species in Florida and Israel, I thought, "Oh the Indian species is here too," but then I found out that they are all actually different species which look very similar.

The fourth one I met recently in California. This is the Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) which is distributed more on western USA and Mexico.