The Latin species name alcetas refers to Ἄλκηστις (Alcestis), in Greek mythology a princess daughter of Pelias, king of Iolcus.

[1][2][3][4] This species lives in flowery grassy places, bushy and damp areas and woodland clearings at an elevation of 50–1,200 metres (160–3,940 ft) above sea level.

The underface of the wings is pale blue-gray, with a series of small black spots encircled with clearer blue.

[4][5] The Eastern Short-tailed Blue ( Cupido decolorata ) can be differentiated by a black discoid spot on the upper surface of the forewings.

The short-tailed blue ( Everes argiades ) differs in that there are always two orange spots at the anal angle on the underside of the wings.