Which blue?

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Hedera

The dark edges/margins to the upperwings are much thicker on females.

...um it appears to be my turn to repeat what Aeshna has said!

Cheers Jason.

[njb55rtd]

Hi
May I just hijack this thread as I have a similar question.
I hope the attached is a Common Blue - if not I've learned nothing!
My question is - does anyone have a sure-fire way of distinguishing between the Common and Adonis? I've read the Common is violet and Adonis turquoise, bur colour can be deceptive. The Common is reputed to have a clear white fringe on the upper wings but I've seen images of Adonis that appear to show this. Again Adonis is supposed to have black veins running into the fringe but I've seen Common images showing this. Also 3mm difference in size is a bit difficult to recognise in the field. Any tip?
Nick

[aeshna5]

I agree your image shows a male Common Blue!

[Susie]

Originally Posted by Jason Claxton

Snowberry is one of the secondary food plants for Holly Blue caterpillars,so Holly Blues may well lay eggs there.The primary foodplants are as you might expect Holly and also Ivy.

Cheers ,Jason

I never knew they used snowberry, and I've dug tonnes of the stuff up in the past! (Un)forunately it has roots that go on forever so it's still there, albeit smaller. I must check for eggs.

Thanks!

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by Susie

I never knew they used snowberry, and I've dug tonnes of the stuff up in the past! (Un)forunately it has roots that go on forever so it's still there, albeit smaller. I must check for eggs.

Thanks!

You're Welcome Susie A few other secondary foodplants are Spindle,Brambles,Gorses and the Dogwoods,a quite surprising variation,I think.

Cheers Jason.

[Susie]

Thanks, Jason, the info's much appreciated. I've seen them laying on dogwood before but wasn't aware of the other plants.

Cheers