Description
The Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) is a small butterfly with light brown wings marked by pale blue iridescence on the upper side in males, and undersides featuring intricate brown and white striping with two small orange-capped black spots near the tail, commonly found in open areas, gardens, and deserts across the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. I have yet to see this species in Minnesota so the images above are from Colorado.
Range
A very rare stray to Minnesota, especially in the western 3rd of the state. 2022 was a banner year for this species in Minnesota with three sightings across the western part of the state. A small colony also set up in southwest Minneapolis in 2018.
Similar Species
None
Host Plants
Mesquite (Prosopis spp.), Acacia (Acacia spp.), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Milk Vetch (Astragalus spp.), Wisteria (Wisteria spp.), Clover (Trifolium spp.), Locoweed (Oxytropis spp.)
Flight
Rare stray in the summer months