Appalachian Azure Celastrina neglectamajor

The Appalachian Azure, Celestrina neglectamajor, occurs mainly in northern Arkansas. Notable for the unmarked wings and larger size.  The food plant it uses is the Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa (shown here being oviposited upon). The Summer Azure does not oviposit on this plant. Appies fly in the early portion of the Summer Azure season and have only one brood. It is much rarer even in the northern counties.

A see-through shot showing the wider margin of dark color on this female. Also on Cohosh here in Bob Barber's fine shot.

A shot from Searcy county cut to show the plant which is not Cimicifuga. We are currently trying to determine what pant it is. Slightly more wing marking here on the forewing.