Eastern Tailed-Blues, those delightful native butterflies that love to puddle in big groups in the summer, are still around in the fall! In fact, as of mid-October, they are still mating (see photo) and laying eggs as long as temperatures stay warm enough for them to survive.
They spend the winters in Tennessee as partially-grown caterpillars. In spring, when temperatures warm and there are more daylight hours, the tiny caterpillars come out of their winter’s rest, finish developing, become chrysalises, and emerge as new adult butterflies around the first of April.
These butterflies are found in fields, mowed grassy areas, pastures, trails, flower gardens, roadsides, water discharge areas and swamps, dappled woods with sunny clearings, golf courses, limestone cedar glades, and barrens. They also like creek, pond, or lake edges, especially those with exposed mud. They have been seen puddling at mud, algae, fire ashes, and bird droppings.
Enjoy them while you can still see them! Soon they may be covered with rain, snow, and frost, but many will make it to another spring.
©Rita Venable 2011