
Common Blue
Males blue with a dark border. Females brown with a row of red spots. Undersides brown-grey with black spots, a row of orange spots, and small greenish flecks on outer margin. Males are similar to Common Blue, which lacks greenish spots.
This small butterfly is found mainly in heathland where the silvery-blue wings of the males provide a marvellous sight as they fly low over the heather. The females are brown and far less conspicuous but, like the male, have distinct metallic spots on the hindwing. In the late afternoon the adults often congregate to roost on sheltered bushes or grass tussocks.
The Silver-studded Blue has a restricted distribution but occurs in large numbers in suitable heathland and coastal habitats. It has undergone a major decline through most of its range.
A wide variety of ericaceous and leguminous plants are used: on heathland, the most common are Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), Cross-leaved Heath (E. tetralix), gorses (Ulex spp).
A rare butterfly found on heathland, sand dunes and chalk/limestone grassland.
Silver-studded Blue (male/upperwing) - Bob Eade
Bob Eade
Silver-studded Blue (male/upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (female/upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (female/upperwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (female/ssp. caernensis) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Silver-studded Blue (male/underwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (female/underwing) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (with ants) - Iain Leach
Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (male & female) - Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (male & female) - Iain Leach
Silver-studded Blue (egg) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Silver-studded Blue (caterpillar) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles
Silver-studded Blue (pupa) - Peter Eeles
Peter Eeles