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(Male upperwing)
Species: Plebejus argus.
The dazzling silver-studded blue is a rare butterfly of heathland habitats, mainly in southern England. It has undergone severe population declines in recent years. Info: The Wildlife Trusts.
Many thanks to people who view or comment on my photos.
A male silver studded blue butterfly on heather. Each year I do a six week survey of these increasingly threatened butterflies. By this time last year I had seen just two in total. Yesterday I counted 96 on my 6km transect. Their numbers should peak in the next couple of weeks.Let's hope that augers well for their future.
he Silver-studded Blue gets its name from the light blue reflective scales found on the underside of most adults and which are quite visible when light reflects off them. As with many other species of blue, the males are blue while the female is a less-conspicuous brown. However, this butterfly is highly variable in appearance and, as stated in Dennis (1977), variation extends to "differences in the male upperside coloration, the width of the marginal border (wide in the New Forest, narrow in Devonshire) and the underside grey coloration (dull grey in the New Forest, silvery grey in east Suffolk); in the female to the development of the blue coloration and the orange lunules on the upperside, and on the underside to the coloration, the width and prominence of the medial white band".
Silver-studded Blues are commonest on southern heathlands around the New Forest and Thames Basin. Beyond that they are decidedly localised, though often common where they do occur. They are noticeably smaller than Common Blues, with a more leaden blue colouration, with a row of black studs around the hindwing margin. Its caterpillars feed on a variety of plants including gorse, heather and rock-rose, but they also have a relationship with black ants of the genus Lasius. Ants carry the young larvae into their nests where they tend and protect them, presumably for the sugary solutions they exude. But it is not known whether they actually feed on ant larvae (like Large Blues do), but at night the caterpillars emerge from the ants' nests to feed on vegetation. Female Silver-studded Blues selectively lay eggs on vegetation close to Black Ant nests.
As far as I'm aware there are no "natural" colonies in Yorkshire, but a few years ago a colony was established in South Yorkshire using butterflies translocated from Shropshire. We were passing on the way back from Lincolnshire so called in and saw a small number on the wing. The person who unofficially introduced these butterflies (and many other species at many other sites) died last year but the Guardian wrote an article about him and his butterfly releasing activities: www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/13/maverick-rewi...
These two young bulls are part of a seven elk bachelor group. The bull on the right has a non-typical rack.
Finally, a trip out to try for some butterflies! Clive drove me out to meet Mary (I'm still not allowed to travel in her car) and he sat and read while we went looking for these little beauties. Lots about but it was very breezy and that made macros tricky - besides them not wanting to settle for very long. This male and female were getting up close but she didn't seem to really want his attentions, flying off when he got too persistent. The male is closest to the camera with his blue wings wide open and the female behind with her wings up.
Looking Close... on Friday: Shoe Sole
My shoes are "practical" so not very interesting :) This is the sole of one of my son's football boots, from many, many years ago, that has been living in the garden ... at one stage with a plant growing in it. I quite like the texture :)
Plebejus argus, mating pair.
There were quite a few out on the heath at the weekend, most were males although we did manage to find a couple of pairs mating.
Dorset heathland.
Numbers are still well down on last year, as the weather is so poor. Normally dusty tracks are quagmires but still a few hardy specimens are trying. I've not seen a female SSB yet and my annual survey is half way through.... fingers crossed we will finally get some warm anddry weather soon; it's supposed to be summer! Here's one of the few from Thursday.
On a morning trip to Yateley Common I found this female Silver-studded Blue in some lovely long, wet grass. I had to sit and get soaked for a while however it was worth it. Shooting into the the grass and moisture give some magical effects.
Taken at Prees Heath, Whitchurch during their four or five day mating season. These beautiful insects are about the size of an adults thumb nail.
(Male underwing)
Species: Plebejus argus.
The dazzling silver-studded blue is a rare butterfly of heathland habitats, mainly in southern England. It has undergone severe population declines in recent years. Info: The Wildlife Trusts.
Many thanks to people who view or comment on my photos.
Last Tuesday evening I went a few hours searching for this beauty, the Silver-studded Blue.
It was a difficult task, with the wind and hyperactive butterflies.
But I managed to capture them, this is one of the pics I made.
Handheld shot.
Sweet little PomPom Studs to match any outfit! These are 50% off for the duration of the event (only 50L$ each!!) so get them while they're cheap because once they hit the mainstore they will go back up to full price!
Coming to Sanarae August 25th
We welcome our new male elk to the herd. He's been on exhibit for a while but I always found him far away until now.
Beautiful 10 point rack.
"This damn Studebaker keeps on breaking down again
I was speedin' south on 99
When the manifold started smokin'
I ran her off the shoulder
And now the axle's broken
Made a sound that cracked my heart in half..."
These old trucks are so much cooler than the ones they make today. I would so drive this truck ...but sadly... this one's not going anywhere. Studebaker... even the name is cool! ; )
I vaguely remember my Dad having a Studebaker when I was a kid. Yeah... I need a truck. I do (in light turquoise blue! I think I just started writing a country song.... lol!)
Available in store, right now,
These tops come in 25 different colors with 10 metal change HUD
There is also a FATPACK with all the available colors
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Grace/132/120/24
Hope you enjoy ♥
All of the DarkFire items are 100% original mesh
Silver-studded Blue / plebejus argus. Lindrick Common, South Yorkshire. 20/06/20.
'STILL ... AT LAST.'
At the end of an absorbing day watching and trying to photograph these highly charged little butterflies, my wish eventually came true. Their energy levels dropped noticeably, in line with the temperature by late afternoon. They started to perch for longer intervals.
This pristine male flew to a patch of Rose-bay Willow Herb and perched on a spike of unopened flowers. Perfect ... and by approaching very carefully I was able to get close and make some images. Afterwards, I retreated just as carefully and left it enjoying the sun.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.