
Brown Argus
This small butterfly has a silvery appearance as it flies low to the ground over sheltered flowery grasslands. In Britain and mainland Europe, the pattern of wing spots is highly variable and many local races (and sub-species) have been described.
In Scotland, most individuals are of the race artaxerxes and have a characteristic white spot in the middle of the forewing (see photo). In northern England, this spot is generally dark brown or black. Similar to Brown Argus but differentiated by orange spots. The butterfly occurs mainly as small, scattered colonies and has declined in northern England.
The most important food plant is Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), though there are rare records of egg laying (probably accidental) on other plants.
Occurs usually in well drained, lightly grazed or ungrazed unimproved grasslands. They prefer sheltered habitats, frequently with scrub and patches of bare ground such as; sand dunes, quarries, coastal valleys and steep slopes.
Northern Brown Argus (upperwing/ssp salmacis) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Northern Brown Argus (upperwing/ssp salmacis)
Northern Brown Argus (upperwing/ssp salmacis)
Northern Brown Argus (underwing/ssp salmacis) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Northern Brown Argus (underwing/ssp salmacis) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Northern Brown Argus (upperwing/ssp artaxerxes) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Northern Brown Argus (underwing/ssp artaxerxes) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Northern Brown Argus (egg) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Northern Brown Argus (egg) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Jim Asher
Jim Asher
Northern Brown Argus (caterpillar) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Northern Brown Argus (caterpillar) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles