The Miami Blue occurs in openings
and edges of tropical hardwood hammocks, beachside scrub, and occasionally
in rocky pinelands. The species is generally common in dry localities,
though extending into moister habitats.
Larval host plants include gray nickerbean (Caesalpinia bonduc)
and the balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum). The decline
of the Miami Blue was primarily due to the development of coastal
habitats that supported its host plants. In Everglades and Biscayne
National Parks, loss of host plants due to competition with exotic
invasive plants, combined with disruption by hurricanes, are
believed to have caused their extirpation. The Miami Blue is currently
present only in small numbers at Bahia
Honda State Park, in the lower Florida Keys.
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