ENY 3005 Family Identification

Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae

Common names: gossamer-winged butterflies, harvesters, coppers, hairstreaks, blues

Identifying characteristics for the family Lycaenidae include:

• Usually small and delicate.
• Often bluish in color.
• The hairstreaks have delicate "tails" on the hind wings.

Additional information:

References:

• Pages 224-225 in D. J. Borror and R. E. White. 1970. A Field Guide to the Insects. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
• Pages 284-286 in R. G. Bland and H. E. Jaques. 1978. How to Know the Insects, 3rd ed. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Co. 409 p.
• Page 91 and plates 7, 21-26 in P. A. Opler. 1992. A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. 396 p.
• Page 640 in D. J. Borror, C. A. Triplehorn, and N. F. Johnson. 1989. An Introduction to the Study of Insects, 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders College Publishing. 875 p.
• E. J. Gerberg and R. H. Arnett, Jr. 1989. Florida Butterflies [and Skippers]. Baltimore: Natural Science Publications. 90 p.
• Page 552 in H. V. Daly, J. T. Doyen, and A. H. Purcell III. 1998. Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press. 680 p.