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.

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.

Locations