17 Types of Blue Butterflies showcases a vibrant collection of butterfly species known for their dazzling blue wings and unique patterns. Found across forests, meadows, and gardens worldwide, each butterfly on this list displays distinct traits, behaviors, and habitats. From the iconic Blue Morpho to the rare Karner Blue, this guide highlights their ecological roles, beauty, and importance, offering a glimpse into the colorful world of these captivating insects.
1. Blue Morpho Butterfly
The Blue Morpho is one of the most iconic and visually striking butterflies in the world. Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, it captivates with its shimmering, iridescent blue wings that can span up to 6 inches. While often admired for its beauty, this butterfly also plays an essential role in the forest ecosystem as both a pollinator and a food source for predators.
Identification
- Large wingspan (5–6 inches)
- Brilliant, iridescent blue on dorsal wing surface
- Underside of wings is brown with eye spots
- Rounded wing edges with slight forewing angle
- Strong, fluttering flight style
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The top of the wings glows with a vivid metallic blue due to microscopic scales that reflect light. In contrast, the underside is a mottled brown with eyespots, allowing the butterfly to camouflage itself when at rest with closed wings.
Natural Habitat
Blue Morphos thrive in tropical forests, particularly in the understory and lower canopy layers. They are most commonly found in rainforests of Brazil, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Males often patrol territories along rivers and trails.
Behavior and Daily Activity
They are solitary and shy creatures that prefer flying in dim light during the early morning. Their flight is slow and bouncing, making them easier to spot when they glide through clearings. Despite their flashy color, they often avoid predators by hiding with their wings closed, showing only their camouflaged underside.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Blue Morphos undergo complete metamorphosis—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Caterpillars feed on a variety of legume plants, while adults mainly sip on fermented fruits instead of nectar, using their long proboscis to draw in liquid nutrients.
2. Common Blue Butterfly
The Common Blue is a small but widespread butterfly found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. It is easily recognized by its delicate blue wings and is often seen fluttering in grassy meadows and along wildflower paths during spring and summer.
Identification
- Small wingspan (1–1.5 inches)
- Males have bright blue wings with thin black borders
- Females often brown with blue dusting and orange spots
- Undersides pale gray with black and orange markings
- Slender body and short antennae
Color Pattern and Wing Features
Males display a vivid blue coloration on the upper wings, while females show variable blue or brown hues with orange crescents. The undersides of both sexes have a beautiful pattern of black dots and orange spots, helping them blend into their surroundings when resting.
Natural Habitat
This butterfly is common in open, sunny habitats like grasslands, meadows, roadsides, and even gardens. It prefers areas rich in nectar plants and legumes, which are host plants for its caterpillars.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Common Blues are active and quick fliers, often seen basking in the sun or chasing each other low to the ground. Males are territorial, often inspecting every blue object they see, including other insects.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The caterpillars feed on bird’s-foot trefoil and other legumes. Adults feed on nectar from a variety of wildflowers and are typically seen from spring through late summer, producing multiple broods depending on the climate.
3. Eastern Tailed-Blue Butterfly
The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a small and vibrant butterfly native to North America. It’s easy to spot thanks to the tiny “tails” on its hindwings and its fast, erratic flight pattern. Despite its size, it’s one of the most widespread and adaptable blue butterflies in the U.S.
Identification
- Wingspan of about 1 inch
- Upper wings blue in males; grayish-blue in females
- Tiny tails on hindwings with orange spots nearby
- Underside light gray with dark spots and a touch of orange
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The males exhibit a bright sky-blue upper side, while females lean toward a duller grayish-blue. The undersides of both sexes feature a mix of white, gray, and orange near the tails, offering camouflage and predator distraction.
Natural Habitat
This butterfly inhabits fields, roadsides, suburban areas, and open woodlands. It is highly adaptable and often one of the first butterflies to appear in the spring.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Eastern Tailed-Blues are quick, low fliers. They frequently pause to feed on flowers or rest with wings closed. Males are often seen patrolling for females, and both sexes bask with wings open during sunny hours.
Life Cycle and Feeding
They lay eggs on legumes like clover, alfalfa, and vetch. Caterpillars feed on these plants, while adults consume nectar from wildflowers such as milkweed, goldenrod, and aster. They produce several broods each year.
4. Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail is a stunning butterfly found in North and Central America. Its shimmering blue hindwings and graceful flight make it a standout species in gardens, woodlands, and meadows. It is also known for its role in mimicry, as several other species mimic its coloration to avoid predators.
Identification
- Wingspan: 2.5–4 inches
- Iridescent blue hindwings (especially vibrant in males)
- Black forewings and body
- Hindwings have no tails, but are rounded and scalloped
- White spots on the underside of hindwings
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper surface is velvety black with metallic blue hindwings that shimmer in the sunlight. The underside is mostly black with a row of bright orange spots near the edge of the hindwings, making it highly recognizable even when the wings are closed.
Natural Habitat
Pipevine Swallowtails are commonly found in open woodlands, forest edges, gardens, and along streams. Their range extends across the southeastern U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies are strong and agile fliers, frequently seen gliding smoothly through sunny areas. They are drawn to nectar-rich flowers and are often observed puddling in moist soil to extract minerals.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Females lay eggs on pipevine plants, the host for their caterpillars. The caterpillars absorb toxins from the plant, making them and the adults distasteful to predators. Adults feed on nectar from flowers such as thistle, lantana, and verbena.
5. Holly Blue
The Holly Blue is a small and charming butterfly widely found in Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its powdery blue wings and silver-spotted undersides, it often visits gardens, parks, and woodland edges.
Identification
- Wingspan: 1.2–1.4 inches
- Pale blue upper wings with thin black borders (males brighter)
- Undersides silvery-gray with small black spots
- No tails on hindwings
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upperside of the wings is a clean, sky blue in males and slightly duller with dark edges in females. The undersides are a soft silvery color decorated with small black dots, helping it blend in with leaves and bark.
Natural Habitat
The Holly Blue is frequently found in urban gardens, hedgerows, churchyards, and woodland glades. It prefers habitats with holly and ivy, which serve as host plants for its caterpillars.
Behavior and Daily Activity
This butterfly is a quick and fluttery flier, often seen flitting around shrubs and low trees. It tends to stay higher up than other blues and is active from early spring through late summer, sometimes producing two broods a year.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The species has a unique life cycle with two generations per year: the spring brood lays eggs on holly, and the summer brood on ivy. Adults feed on nectar from flowers like bramble, heather, and dogwood.
6. Ulysses Butterfly
The Ulysses Butterfly, also known as the Blue Mountain Swallowtail, is a large and dazzling species native to northeastern Australia and nearby islands. Its striking blue wings are a symbol of tropical beauty and are often used in tourism materials representing Queensland.
Identification
- Wingspan: 4.7–5.5 inches
- Iridescent electric blue wings bordered with black
- Narrow tails on hindwings
- Black body with blue sheen
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper side of the wings gleams with vibrant, metallic blue, contrasted by bold black edges. When wings are closed, the undersides appear brown and less conspicuous, aiding in camouflage when resting.
Natural Habitat
Found primarily in tropical rainforests, particularly near eucalyptus and melaleuca trees. It is also seen in parks and gardens where its host plants are grown.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Ulysses Butterflies are fast and erratic fliers. They are very sensitive to movement and light, often darting quickly from flower to flower. Males are particularly territorial and patrol forest edges to find mates.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of Melicope species (particularly Euodia trees). Adults feed on nectar from various native and exotic flowers, especially bright-colored ones like pink, red, or purple blossoms.
7. Silvery Blue
The Silvery Blue is a dainty and delicate butterfly native to North America. Its shimmering silvery-blue wings and quiet presence make it a hidden gem in meadows and open habitats across the continent.
Identification
- Wingspan: 0.9–1.3 inches
- Males have pale blue upper wings with silvery sheen
- Females darker with brown edging
- Undersides gray with small black dots and faint white crescent lines
Color Pattern and Wing Features
Males shine with a soft silvery-blue glow, while females are usually duller with brown or gray hues. The underside of the wings has subtle dark spotting with fine white scalloping along the edges.
Natural Habitat
This butterfly favors open fields, prairies, dunes, and disturbed areas where its host legumes grow. It ranges from southern Canada to the western and central United States.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Silvery Blues are calm and low-flying butterflies. They are often found basking in the sun with wings open or sipping nectar close to the ground. Their flight is gentle and fluttery, making them appear to float through grasses and wildflowers.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The larvae feed on legumes such as lupines, vetch, and clovers. Adults feed on nectar from small wildflowers and are often seen from spring through mid-summer, depending on location and elevation.
8. Adonis Blue
The Adonis Blue is a striking butterfly native to Europe, particularly favoring warm, chalky grasslands. With its vibrant turquoise-blue wings, it stands out as one of the most vividly colored blue butterflies found in the region.
Identification
- Wingspan: 1.2–1.4 inches
- Males have bright turquoise-blue upper wings with thin black borders
- Females are brown with orange spots and sometimes slight blue dusting
- Undersides pale brown or gray with black and white spots
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper side of the male’s wings is a radiant sky-blue with fine black margins, creating a dazzling display when basking in the sun. The female’s coloring is more subdued but still attractive, often with orange crescents near the wing edges.
Natural Habitat
Adonis Blues inhabit calcareous (chalk or limestone) grasslands, slopes, and hillsides across southern and central Europe. They rely on short-turf grasslands with plenty of wildflowers and host plants.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Males are highly active and constantly patrol sunny areas looking for mates, while females are more reclusive. These butterflies are sun-lovers, often resting with wings open to soak in heat. They appear mainly from late spring to early summer, with a second brood in warm years.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The caterpillars feed on horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa). Adults rely on nectar from flowers such as thyme, marjoram, and hawkbit. The species has strong ties to ants, which protect the larvae in exchange for sugary secretions.
9. Spring Azure
The Spring Azure is a small, widespread butterfly found across North America. It is among the earliest butterflies to appear each year and is known for its delicate appearance and pale bluish hues.
Identification
- Wingspan: 0.8–1.1 inches
- Males have light blue upper wings with white fringe
- Females slightly darker with grayish or purplish tint
- Undersides light gray with fine dark spots and wavy markings
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper wings are soft powder blue in males, with females showing more muted tones. The undersides have a dusted gray appearance with tiny, delicate dark markings that offer effective camouflage when wings are closed.
Natural Habitat
Spring Azures are found in woodlands, forest edges, riverbanks, and even suburban gardens. They prefer moist, shaded environments with abundant flowering shrubs and trees.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies are fluttery and elusive, often flitting from flower to flower or basking on leaves in dappled sunlight. They emerge in early spring, often well before most other butterfly species.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Caterpillars feed on a variety of flowering shrubs such as dogwood, viburnum, and New Jersey tea. Adults feed on nectar from early-season wildflowers and tree blossoms like cherry and serviceberry. Multiple broods may occur in warmer regions.
10. Karner Blue
The Karner Blue is a small, endangered butterfly native to parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States. Known for its dependency on wild lupine, this species is an important indicator of healthy pine barrens and oak savannas.
Identification
- Wingspan: 0.9–1.1 inches
- Males have silvery to violet-blue upper wings with narrow black margins
- Females are darker with orange crescents along wing edges
- Undersides pale gray with black spots and orange bands on hindwings
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The male’s upper wings are a shimmering violet-blue, while females often have broader black margins and orange spots near the hindwing edges. The underside pattern is subtle but distinct, helping in field identification.
Natural Habitat
Karner Blues are found in sandy pine barrens, oak savannas, and grassy openings where wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) grows—the only host plant for their larvae. Their range includes parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
Behavior and Daily Activity
This butterfly is relatively weak in flight and stays close to the ground. Males actively patrol for mates, and both sexes are often observed feeding on low flowers or basking in sunny patches.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The caterpillars feed exclusively on wild lupine. Adults feed on nectar from various flowers like butterflyweed, horsemint, and blazing star. There are two broods each year, with the second often larger and more visible.
11. Clipper Butterfly
The Clipper Butterfly is a large and fast-flying species native to South and Southeast Asia. It’s known for its broad wings and vibrant patterns that include bright blue streaks, making it a popular sight in tropical butterfly houses and gardens.
Identification
- Wingspan: 4.0–4.7 inches
- Bright metallic blue with black or brown wing borders
- Broad forewings with wavy black lines and white patches
- Jagged wing edges with distinct angular shape
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper wings show a striking pattern of iridescent blue with bold black markings, while the hindwings may be less blue and more mottled with black or brown. Some subspecies show green or turquoise instead of blue.
Natural Habitat
Clipper Butterflies inhabit lowland rainforests, secondary forests, and plantations across India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are often found near rivers and forest clearings.
Behavior and Daily Activity
They are strong and erratic fliers, often gliding with wings held flat. Clippers are attracted to rotting fruit and sap flows more than flowers. They tend to rest with wings open, showcasing their vivid patterns.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The larvae feed on various host plants, including species from the Acanthaceae family. Adults prefer fermenting fruit, tree sap, and occasional nectar. They are present year-round in tropical climates, with peak activity during the wet season.
12. Ceraunus Blue
The Ceraunus Blue is a small, widespread butterfly found throughout the southern United States, Central America, and parts of South America. It’s known for its subtle blue hues and delicate tails, often seen fluttering low over open fields and gardens.
Identification
- Wingspan: 0.8–1.1 inches
- Males have violet-blue upper wings with dark borders
- Females are brown with slight blue at the base of wings
- Undersides pale gray with two black dots near the hindwing base and a small tail
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper wings of the male are softly iridescent, while the female is more subdued. The undersides are marked with fine lines and twin dark spots, helping to distinguish it from similar blues.
Natural Habitat
Ceraunus Blues inhabit open areas like roadsides, pastures, scrublands, and gardens. They are especially common in warm regions with sparse vegetation and scattered flowers.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies are active throughout the day, often seen feeding on small wildflowers or resting with wings closed. Their flight is quick and close to the ground, making them easy to miss despite their numbers.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The caterpillars feed on legumes such as alfalfa and mesquite. Adults sip nectar from a variety of small flowers and can be seen year-round in tropical and subtropical areas.
13. Mexican Bluewing
The Mexican Bluewing is a dazzling butterfly native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of southern Texas. Its rich, deep blue wings and striking patterns make it a standout species in tropical forests and butterfly gardens.
Identification
- Wingspan: 3.0–3.5 inches
- Deep blue to purple wings with thick black margins
- Forewings marked with pale blue bands or spots
- Underside brown with cryptic eye-like patterns
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper side of the wings gleams in deep royal blue to violet, bordered by black. The forewings often display blue or white streaks. The underside is intricately patterned with brown and tan, resembling dead leaves for camouflage.
Natural Habitat
Mexican Bluewings are typically found in subtropical and tropical forests, especially near streams and shaded glades. They occasionally wander into gardens and urban green spaces in southern Texas and Mexico.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies are most active in the morning and late afternoon. They bask with wings open to absorb warmth but often rest with wings closed for camouflage. Males are sometimes seen puddling at damp spots.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Caterpillars feed on plants in the Euphorbiaceae family. Adults are attracted to fermenting fruit and also visit flowers for nectar. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are more common during the rainy season.
14. Blue Pansy
The Blue Pansy is a vibrant butterfly found across South and Southeast Asia, admired for its brilliant eye spots and vivid wing coloration. It is a member of the Junonia genus and is frequently seen basking in open, sunny areas.
Identification
- Wingspan: 2.0–2.8 inches
- Males have bright blue upper wings with bold orange and black eye spots
- Females slightly duller with more brownish tones
- Underside brown with complex pattern of eye spots and bands
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The forewings display blue with prominent black and orange markings, while the hindwings feature large, colorful eye spots. The underside is intricately marked to mimic dried leaves, aiding in camouflage.
Natural Habitat
Blue Pansies inhabit open grasslands, roadsides, parks, and gardens across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia. They prefer warm, sunny habitats with low vegetation.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies are sun-loving and often seen basking with wings open. Their flight is strong and short, and they are highly territorial, frequently chasing off intruders from their chosen sunning spots.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Larvae feed on plants like snapdragons, ruellia, and plantains. Adults feed on flower nectar and are often seen sipping from lantana, cosmos, and other garden blooms. They are active nearly year-round in warm climates.
15. Blue Tiger
The Blue Tiger is a graceful and slow-flying butterfly native to South and Southeast Asia. It’s known for its unique black wings marked with bluish-white streaks, making it one of the most recognizable butterflies in its range.
Identification
- Wingspan: 2.7–3.3 inches
- Black wings with translucent pale blue or whitish streaks and spots
- Elongated forewings and rounded hindwings
- Black body with bluish-white spots
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The wings are dark brown to black with pale blue veining and spotting throughout. This streaked appearance gives it a tiger-like pattern. The semi-translucent effect of the pale markings enhances its soft, floating flight style.
Natural Habitat
Blue Tigers are typically found in coastal forests, open woodlands, gardens, and mangrove areas. They are especially common during seasonal migrations and in butterfly congregations.
Behavior and Daily Activity
They fly slowly and glide often, giving them an elegant, floating presence. Males are frequently found in large numbers during migration or at “mud puddling” spots where they extract nutrients from moist soil.
Life Cycle and Feeding
The larvae feed on plants from the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae), including Crotalaria and Heterostemma. Adults feed on nectar and may also be seen feeding on sap and rotting fruit. The species is known for long-distance movement in response to seasonal changes.
16. Eastern Tailed-Blue
The Eastern Tailed-Blue is a widespread and common butterfly throughout much of North America. Named for the small tail on each hindwing, this species is often seen fluttering low in open fields, roadsides, and gardens.
Identification
- Wingspan: 0.8–1.1 inches
- Males have bright violet-blue upper wings with thin black margins
- Females are grayish-blue to brown with variable blue at the wing base
- Small orange spot and short tail on each hindwing
- Undersides pale gray with black spots and an orange patch near the tail
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upper side of the male is a vivid purplish-blue, while females display more muted tones. A distinctive feature is the orange spot and short black tail on each hindwing. The undersides are subtly marked, aiding in camouflage when resting.
Natural Habitat
This butterfly inhabits open, sunny spaces like meadows, lawns, pastures, and roadsides. It adapts well to disturbed environments and is commonly seen across most of the U.S. and southern Canada.
Behavior and Daily Activity
Eastern Tailed-Blues are low-flying and fluttery, often seen in pairs during mating or sipping from small flowers close to the ground. They are one of the earliest butterflies to appear in spring and may have multiple broods per year.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Larvae feed on legumes including clover, alfalfa, and wild peas. Adults prefer nectar from small flowers like shepherd’s purse and wild strawberries. They are active from spring through fall, depending on latitude.
17. Morpho Butterfly
The Morpho Butterfly is a large, iridescent blue butterfly found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Renowned for its dazzling color and size, the Morpho is one of the most iconic butterflies in the world.
Identification
- Wingspan: 5.0–8.0 inches
- Upperside a brilliant, metallic blue with black edges
- Underside brown with eye spots and leaf-like markings for camouflage
- Broad wings with a slow, gliding flight
Color Pattern and Wing Features
The upperside is an iridescent, electric blue due to microscopic scales that reflect light, while the underside is dull brown with complex eyespots, helping it blend into forest surroundings when resting.
Natural Habitat
Morphos thrive in tropical rainforests from Mexico to Brazil. They are often seen near streams, forest edges, and clearings, where light penetration highlights their blue wings in flight.
Behavior and Daily Activity
These butterflies fly slowly and powerfully through forest canopies and along riverbanks. The flash of blue as they fly is a defense mechanism to confuse predators. Males are territorial and often patrol specific pathways.
Life Cycle and Feeding
Caterpillars feed on leaves from pea family plants like Machaerium. Adults primarily feed on fermenting fruit, tree sap, and decaying matter rather than flower nectar. Their lifecycle includes long pupation stages in leaf-like chrysalises for camouflage.
Summary: 17 Types of Blue Butterflies
Blue butterflies are diverse and stunning, found in habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate meadows. This list highlights 17 species, including the vibrant Blue Morpho, delicate Spring Azure, and rare Karner Blue. Their dazzling blue hues serve for camouflage, mating, or warning predators. Each species has unique behaviors and host plants, playing vital roles in pollination and ecosystem health, making them both beautiful and ecologically important insects.
