Very similar to the common Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), with which they were formerly lumped, these common butterflies are the only azure species that flies during the summer in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of NC. They're slightly larger, whiter beneath and bluer above than the smaller, dingier and more violaceous Spring Azure.

To confuse matters, Summer Azures also fly in the spring and are one of our earliest emerging butterflies.

Orange Co., NC 3/13/2011.

Granville Co., NC 5/25/09.

Wake Co., NC 5/7/07.

This tiny azure, presumably a Summer, was about the size of a small Eastern Tailed-Blue. Clay Co., NC 5/20/07.

In the mountains in late spring, they could be confused with the uncommon Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor), which tends to be larger and a deeper blue above. And in the Coastal Plain in early spring, they closely resemble the Atlantic Holly Azure (Celastrina idella) -- these are most easily separated by habitat, generally being found near pocosins and other wet areas with Large Gallberry (Ilex coriacea), their host plant.

Avery Co., NC 7/5/02.

Light blue above, with whitish veining, unlike the violet-tinged blue of the Spring Azure.

Clay Co., NC 5/21/05.

This worn individual may be a Summer Azure, though it resembles the 'marginata' form of Spring Azure.

Bath Co., VA 4/19/05.

This poor butterfly was accidentally stepped on. Its underside looks the same as the individual above.

Bath Co., VA 4/19/05.