Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra)

Dusky Azure is rare in the NC mountains, and is associated with its host plant, Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus). It's single-brooded, flying in April/May and is only known from a few locations.

From below, Dusky Azures look like other azures, so you need to get a good look at the dorsal (upper) surface of the wings. Male Duskys are slate gray above, sometimes with a hint of blue toward the wing base. Females have a broad dark border on ALL FOUR wings with bluish-white inside the border and with blackened veins.


Male Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006	Female Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006


Male Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006	Male Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006


Female Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006	Female Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006


Male? Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006	Female Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006

	We observed Dusky Azures nectaring on chickweeds (Stellaria sp.) and Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum). Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006
	Dusky Azures were also fond of "nectar robbing" from Wild Geraniums. Graham Co., NC 28 Apr 2006


Very worn Clay Co., NC 14 May 05	Very worn Haywood Co., NC 13 May 05


Very worn Clay Co., NC 13 May 06

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Created on ... May 16, 2005 | Updated on ... Nov 25, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com