Brown Argus in Gateshead?

[Sneezewort]

A very small friend of mine spotted this butterfly while we were out on a woodland walk today. It was feeding on Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil which grows abundantly on a south-facing valley side, on a broad verge adjacent to a forest road in our local Forestry Commission Wood.



We saw the upper wings too, but unfortunately I was too slow to capture that on a photo - and I certainly believed it looked like a Brown Argus. But on checking this out when I returned home I wondered if this was likely, being so far north. Could anyone confirm Id for me please?

Many thanks
Julie

[TeresaW]

I think it's more likely a female common blue.

[Michael A]

I think this is almost certainly a Female Common Blue

[MetalMoth]

UK Butterflies - Brown Argus - Aricia agestis

I also believe it to be a Common Blue. The way to tell them apart from their underwing is to look at the spots they have. If you see the link above it shows you what to look for. Common Blue has a small third spot down the wing below the others, which your pic has, in Brown Argus this is missing. The link above explains it much better than I can!

[Harry Eales]

The Northern Brown Argus in Co. Durham is confined to the magnesium Limestone in the south east of the county. The Brown Argus has appeared on Teesside, but has not (as yet) been recorded further north.

The NBA does occur, (contrary to popular belief) on two sites in north Northumberland, and many more in the Lothians of Scotland.

In this instance, I have to agree with the rest of those who have replied, it's a female Common Blue. Sorry.

Harry

[Sneezewort]

Thank you all so much for all the info - it is really fascinating to see how very similar the female common blue is to the brown argus.

I had made my initial identification from the pattern on the upper wings - forgetting that a lot of female blue butterflies are brown and not blue! But then when I looked at the normal geographical location for the brown argus I thought it very doubtful that this was what I had seen!

Then ... as often ... I turned to you more knowledgeable folk to find out what I had really seen ... and this has once again enabled me to learn something new.
I really do appreciate your very kind assistance.

Thank you
Julie

[faz]

i posted a thred thinking it was a Adonis blue lol more fool me im good at birds and cold bloods BUT i do know this is a female common blue as i am now looking more at these gawjussssssss butterflies