Adonis Blue
This female Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus) is nectaring on Water Mint. A key identification feature separating this butterfly from Common Blue are the black lines through the white edges to the wings. It is smaller than the similar but equally rare Chalkhill Blue which also favours similar sunny downland habitats in southern England. Identification is helped by males flying nearby as they have striking blue, almost turquoise upperwings, very noticeably different to both Common and Adonis Blue males.
Although some colonies can be quite large, it is actually a rare butterfly, being right at the northern edge of its European range in southern England.
Butterflies of Dorset # 18
Adonis Blue
This female Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus) is nectaring on Water Mint. A key identification feature separating this butterfly from Common Blue are the black lines through the white edges to the wings. It is smaller than the similar but equally rare Chalkhill Blue which also favours similar sunny downland habitats in southern England. Identification is helped by males flying nearby as they have striking blue, almost turquoise upperwings, very noticeably different to both Common and Adonis Blue males.
Although some colonies can be quite large, it is actually a rare butterfly, being right at the northern edge of its European range in southern England.
Butterflies of Dorset # 18