Scientific name Lycaeides melissa | Rank Species | |
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Similar Lycaeides, Karner blue, Plebejus, Glaucopsyche lygdamus, Erynnis persius | ||
The Melissa blue (Plebejus melissa) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in western North America, from Canada to Mexico. The Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) is a subspecies of the Melissa blue, and was described by the novelist/lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov.
The wingspan is 22–35 mm. The butterfly flies from April to August depending on the location.
References
Melissa blue Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA