This is a Karner Blue, one of the rarest butterflies in North America. I met this little guy at the Concord Pine Barrens, where a lot of work has been done to save these butterflies; in 2019 their numbers in this pine barren habitat in the middle of an industrial park were estimated to be more than 3000.
One of the difficulties in re-establishing Karner Blues has been their short dispersal range--how far they fly from their birthplace. A few sources mentioned that they were poor flyers, but I didn't really think about what that might look like, until I saw them fly in person. Cohost, i have never seen a winged creature struggle with flight the way a Karner Blue does. They fly in sloppy, wide circles for fifteen seconds just to perch on something less than six inches from them. It's rather endearing, and serves as a good way of IDing them, but also highlights how even minor behaviors can affect an endangered population.
I also saw a frosted elfin and two other butterflies (or moths) that I'm trying to ID, without much success. Luckily this area is close enough that I can visit it frequently. 🦋
I believe in you, Karner Blue! 