The Melissa Blue is a small, variable western blue butterfly with males showing vivid azure blue and females largely brown with orange crescents along wing margins. It is closely associated with native lupines and astragalus. The Karner Blue, an endangered subspecies, is found in eastern pine barrens and is tightly dependent on wild blue lupine.
Best time to see a Melissa Blue
The best time to see a Melissa Blue is June–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,923 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Melissa Blue? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Melissa Blue sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Melissa Blue?
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