|
The
term blue is a partial misnomer as not
all of the species are blue. The species
that are blue it is often only the males,
as the females tend to be brown.
Many
of the blue species have caterpillars
that produce a sweet liquid to which
ants are attracted too. The ants 'milk'
the caterpillar for the liquid, but
in no way harm it. The ants carry the
caterpillars to foodplants close to
the ants’ nest. The caterpillars benefit
from the protection of the ant colony.
Many
populations of blue species diminished
with the introduction of myxomatosis. The crashing of the rabbit
population drastically affected the
species' habitats. The habitats void
of rabbits meant that plantlife was
not kept closely cropped, this condition
was required for their foodplants and
the ants to thrive.
|
|
|
|
Common Blue
Polyommatus
icarus
The
males are blue but only on the
upperside. The males’ undersides are
brown and grey with black spots, the
wings are edged with orange and black
eyespots.
The
female is dark brown with a blue tinge
around the body. There are orange dots
on the wing fringes. The females’ underside
is similar to that of the males.
There
are usually two broods. The food plants
are trefoils, clovers and vetches.
|
|

Photograph
by Alan Griffiths |
|
|
|
|
|
Holly Blue
Celastrina
argiolus
Both
sexes of the holly blue have similar
colouration. The uppersides are a lilac
blue, with the females having a larger brownish
fringe. The undersides are a paler blue
with black dots.
There
are usually two broods. The foodplants
are the flowers, buds and berries of
holly and ivy.
As
both these of these plants fruit and
flower at different times of year, the
first brood feeds on holly the second
ivy.
|
|

Photograph
by Alan Griffiths |
|
|
|
|
Silver Studded Blue
Plebejus argus
There
are large differences between the sexes
of the silver studded blue. The upperside
of the male is a silvery blue, the wings
edged in black with a white fringe.
The upperside of the female is a
dark brown, the wings edged in orange
patches and fringed with white.
The
undersides of both sexes are pale brown
with orange and white
patches and brown spots. The female has more spots.
There
are usually two broods. The food
plants include vetch, heather and bird’s
foot trefoil.
|
|
FREE
ADVERTISING Free
advertising available on this web site.
SEND
US YOUR PHOTO OR INFORMATION On
butterflies or moths of Cornwall. All are credited.
WANTED BUTTERFLY
OR MOTH SITES
AS LINKS A reciprocal link
required.
SEND
US YOUR PHOTO OR INFORMATION On
caterpillars of Cornwall. All are credited.
|