Chalkhill Blue

Description:

This male Chalkhill Blue attached it self to the handle of one my walking sticks and hiked with me for a good 15 minutes. Sweat is attractive to butterflies, where they will obtain nutrients such as salt.

Habitat:

A rocky path going though an alpine meadow, alt. 1800 m ASL. This butterfly favours chalk and limestone slopes, and sites grazed by sheep or cattle. This butterfly is found from lowlands right up to high in the mountains.

Notes:

Male butterflies benefit from sodium uptake as it seems to increase their reproductive success. Sodium and amino acids are often transferred to the female with the spermatophore during mating as a nuptial gift. This nutrition also enhances the survival rate of eggs.