Butterfly ID please?

Gabrielle H · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:37 PM

Is this butterfly a female common blue or brown argus? Help!!

Many thanks

Susie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:46 PM

Looks like a female common blue to me. She's a bit bluey around the thorax but still young yet (look at condition of fringing around the edges) and so her abdomen isn't fat with ripe eggs.

Wait for one of the experts to give you a proper ID though, I still get these confused so could be wrong!

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011, 04:23 PM

I'd say Brown Argus, Common Blue usually has white marks with black spots below the orange. Don't be misled by the mention of female Common Blues having a blue dusting near the body, Brown Argus can have plenty of that too.

Identify a butterfly - Butterfly Conservation

Janet

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011, 05:35 PM

Its a 2nd generation Male Brown Argus.

Susie · #5 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011, 06:48 PM

I've still got lots to learn. Sorry for the wrong ID!

Gabrielle H · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 07:29 AM

Thanks all - my initial thoughts were brown argus, then i started doubting myself! An experienced ecologist where i work was 99% sure it was a brown argus, so I'll go with that then!