Which blue?

[Hedera]

Not sure if these are Holly or Common? Taken on different days in the same area of my shrubbery, the one looks battered after the stormy weather.
Couldn't get them with wings open!

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Hedera

It is a Holly blue.

[Deb London]

It certainly is.

I have a picture somewhere of one resting on exactly that same plant. You don't happen to know what it is, do you?

Deb

[Hedera]

Thank you. both. It's on Snowberry flowers.

[Deb London]

Yes, of course they are, thanks Hedera!

I wonder if they have a penchant for these flowers.

[Hedera]

I don't know, but they (or it) has been patrolling that area for some time and they keep landing on that shrub.

[Jason Claxton]

Originally Posted by Hedera

I don't know, but they (or it) has been patrolling that area for some time and they keep landing on that shrub.

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

[aeshna5]

Holly Blue will lay their eggs on Snowberry. They will use quite a range of plants as well as Ivy + Holly.

I just see that Jason's basically said the same thing!

[Hedera]

I must keep an eye open for eggs then. Presumably under the leaves? How can I tell male from female? They don't stay for long.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Hedera

I must keep an eye open for eggs then. Presumably under the leaves? How can I tell male from female? They don't stay for long.

The eggs will probably be on the flower buds.

Female Holly Blue has a broad black border on the upperwing, while male is virtually all blue.