Species: Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Family: Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues (LYCAENIDAE)
Category: Butterflies & Moths
Location: NW
A. Butterflies & Moths
B. Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues (LYCAENIDAE)
This is a diverse group of colourful butterflies. The hairstreaks get their name from a thin white line on the underside of the wings. Female blues are often more brown than blue, and the Brown Argus is not blue at all.
C. Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Frequently seen in the cemetery, this butterfly has two broods a year, and is on the wing from May until October. The blue males have their wings edged with black then white on the edge, whereas the females are brown with orange markings then white fringes. Single eggs are laid on legumes such as Common Bird's Foot Trefoil, Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil, Black Medick, Common Restharrow, and Clovers, with all but the Common Restharrow being found in the cemetery. The caterpillars are green.
Images
The Common Blue
The Common Blue butterfly has two broods a year. This individual is a female.
Common Blue
This is a female Common Blue butterfly.
The Common Blue
This example of a Common Blue butterfly is a male, July 2023.
(Photo credit: John Heys.)
Common Blue
This is a male Common Blue butterfly
Common Blue
Here are three Common Blues. The two on the right are mating.
Common Blue
Male Common Blue in the Cemetery, late August 2022.
