Marine Blue
Leptotes marina
The Marine Blue is essentially a butterfly of the southwestern U.S. and a very rare migrant north and east. In 2008, this species was seen in four counties in Wisconsin. The Marine Blue has also been recorded from Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, and from as far east as New York and Pennsylvania.

Weekly sightings for Marine Blue
Identifying characteristics
Below both wings of the Marine Blue have bands of pale brown separated by bands of white. The species has no tail, but has two dark submarginal spots.
Similar species
No similar species in Wisconsin.
Habitat
Open, weedy areas, often near waterways.
Flight
Multiple brooded throughout all of its range and flies all year in some areas.
Abundance
A very rare stray in Wisconsin.
Early Marine Blue Sightings
Date | County | Reported by |
---|---|---|
Jun 15, 2008 | Jackson | Ann & Scott Swengel |
Jun 16, 2022 | La Crosse | Steve Kinyon |
Jun 16, 2022 | Grant | Mike Reese |
Jun 17, 2022 | Dane | Jason Sailing |
Jun 17, 2022 | Dane | Jesse Peterson |
Locations



Photo © 2008 ann thering
Schurch-Thomson Prairie, Iowa Co., WI. July 19, 2008.

Photo © 2002 david hanson
Bentsen S.P. Mission, TX. March 15, 2002.