Adonis Blue butterfly

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Personal observations and pictures from a butterfly garden in Cirencester, Gloucestershire and images from the English countryside

Copyright ©Linda Walls 1998-2005

My personal observations of the Adonis Blue butterfly

months seen in my garden: NONE
months seen in the English countryside: August

A memorable image from 2003:

This image was taken in the early evening on 14 August 2003 at Fontmell Down, Dorset.

observations:

The upper wings of the male are a bright turquoise blue. (Common Blue butterflies are more lavender-blue.) Females have brown upper wings.

The black vein markings that cross the white fringe of the wings, are one of the identifying characteristics. (The Common Blue butterfly has a clear white fringe.)

Reference Section

Size: 38mm (smaller than Small White - see list of butterflies by size)

First Generation flight period: May-June
Second Generation flight period: Aug-September

Habitat: Chalk and Limestone downland
Larval Food Plants: Horse-shoe vetch
Wild Nectar Plants: unknown

Family Group: Lycaenidae - see list of butterflies by family

This page last updated: 2 July, 2004

For british butterflies in flight this month, visit my homepage at www.butterflygarden.co.uk

The Adonis Blue butterfly will most likely be mistaken for the Common Blue butterfly. The Adonis Blue lives on chalk and limestone downland which is also home to the Chalkhill Blue butterfly