Female Adonis/Female Chalkhill Blues - undersides

[Trev Sawyer]

OK guys. I realise it is extremely difficult to tell a female Adonis Blue from a female Chalkhill Blue when they have their wings closed, but on sites where both exist at the same time, is it possible? Are there any differences at all on the underwings to allow identification when the butterflies are roosting?

Trev

[bugboy]

This thread maybe of interest to you.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9755&p=131936#p131723

[Trev Sawyer]

Ooh, Thank you! - I don't get to visit this website as often as I used to and had missed that. Difficult to count the bands in the antennae in the field, but a very interesting way of checking photos afterwards. I'll have to go back and test the theory myself!

Trev

[Trev Sawyer]

Adonis certainly do look like they have fewer white bands on their antennae than Chalkhills - that's amazing. Around 20 seems good for my Adonis and 24 or more for Chalkhill Blues. I'm glad I asked!

[Trev Sawyer]

So this butterfly must surely be a female Adonis?... It has 21 white bars in its antennae stalks and due to damage to the wings from - I suspect - a semi-successful bird peck, I can see some blue scales on the upper surface of the lower wings near the spots. What say Ye?
It could fly, but had a nasty hole in the side of the abdomen oozing green body contents, so not sure if it will be able to perform its genetic duty.

Trev