What butterfly could this be?

[Birdwatchers]

A holly blue?

[Dogghound]

How big was it?

I think this may be a small blue. Males both look very similar.

[Jenny W]

That's a Holly Blue, nothing else has an underside like that.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

That's a Holly Blue, nothing else has an underside like that.

Agree, a Holly Blue.

[Dogghound]

What is the difference? small and holly blues appear to have an almost identicle underwing? In the field the top of the wing and size can be used but in a photo like this im puzzled, any tips please?

[Wild-Woman]

The underside of this tiny butterfly (Small Blue) is a grey-blue. The Holly is a pale blue, matching the blue of the upper-side.

[Dogghound]

Thankyou, its just different photo's ive looked at show totally contrasting colours due to the way the light shines of the wing depending on it position. Unfortunately we dont get smal blues here so I have never really had to ID one before.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

The underside of this tiny butterfly (Small Blue) is a grey-blue. The Holly is a pale blue, matching the blue of the upper-side.

To my eyes this photo is the colour of a Holly Blue underside +Small Blue tends to be greyer than this.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Birdwatchers

A holly blue?

Can you tell us about the place + habitat you found this butterfly? To my eyes it is a Holly Blue, but others veer towards Small Blue which is very much a habitat specialist + will need Kidney Vetch around.

[Africa]

The underside spot pattern is spot-on Holly Blue. I've got lots of underside pattern photos of Holly Blues laying eggs in my garden Holly.

Here is one: