Unidentified Blue Butterfly

[Pete Collins]

Could someone please identify this blue butterfly for me? Thanks! I'm not very good on butterflies, and my little reference book isn't too helpful with the blue butterflies.

I'm hoping it's a Chalkhill Blue, but I'm probably way off the mark!

I saw a decent selection of butterflies on a long local walk today - Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Comma, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell.

Thanks again,

Pete

[Jason Green]

Yes, it's a male Chalkhill. The girl is brown.

[djackso]

Looks like textbook Chalkhill Blue to me, Pete.

[Pete Collins]

Thank you both for your quick replies!

It was on suitable habitat (chalk downland), so I thought it might be one. I've only identified one once before, near Royston, Herts. This one was just a couple of miles from my home.

As I said, I saw a nice selection of the more common butterflies today (at least they are common round here - Marbled White's not common everywhere!). Apart from one place where there were a lot of Meadow Brown's, I didn't see large numbers of butterflies - generally just one or two of each species I listed, but maybe 3 or 4 Peacocks.

Thanks again,

Pete

[leifus]

yes chalkhill blue - im yet to see one of these so your one up on me

[Pete Collins]

Thanks leifus. According to this distribution map, they are at several sites in your area, so I'm sure you'll see one soon:

UK Butterflies - Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon

Now I know they're around, I'll keep an eye out for them in the future. The place I saw them was only a couple of miles from my home, and I go there quite often on my walks. Of course, they'll only be flying for a few more weeks.

[leifus]

thanks, yeah i'll keep looking too