Common Blue Butterfly

Description:

As the name implies, this is by far the commonest and most widely distributed lycaenid butterfly found in the British Isles. That said, it doesn't take away anything of the sheer thrill of seeing these butterflies in the summer meadows.

Habitat:

Happily this small butterfly is still a common sight and can be found in small numbers on suitable rough pasture land and ancient downland.

Notes:

Quite a fast flying butterfly, it can easily be overlooked until it pauses briefly, often on local footpaths where it's food plants can be found. Once spotted & located it's behavior becomes a bit more predictable as it will often rest and roost on grass seedheads. This is also where the mating will regularly be observed. The female of the species has brown upperside wings and a similar underside coloring to the male.