Latin Name:  Glaucopsyche lygdamus Doubleday, 1841
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Wingspan:  25 - 30 mm

Range:  Throughout Alberta

Habitat:  Poplar woods and open meadows

Time of year seen: April to August  (Additional Sightings)

Caterpillar's Diet: Herbaceous legumes

Other: The Silvery Blue is a common butterfly that is found throughout Alberta.  Its caterpillars can be found on a variety of legumes (vetches and lupines), feeding on the seeds and flowers.  The caterpillars excrete a sugary substance which attracts ants.  The coloration of the caterpillars ranges from purplish to light green with a darker green/brown dorsal stripe.  The pupa over winter, emerging in the spring with adults on the wing from early April to mid August.  There is usually only one generation per year.  (C.D. Bird, 1995 and T. J. Allen, 2005)