Common blue?

Wayne · Post by **Wayne** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:51 pm

Forgive the quality, it was overcast and very windy.
Taken at Arnside Knott
It looks just like a Common Blue, but it was about 1/2 the size, and all the others in the area were the same size.

Is there anything else it could be?

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:15 pm

I'm pretty sure this is a Common Blue. Most species produce "dwarf" individuals from time to time, usually as a result of an underfed larva.

Cheers,

- Pete

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:47 am

These look like two different individuals to me. I think the top is female, bottom is male, both common blue.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:01 am

Good point! I hadn't noticed that!

Cheers,

- Pete

Wayne · Post by **Wayne** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:41 am

Ahh yes you are correct!

They were both really tiny, but then the female Common Blues are small.
The male must have came from an under-fed caterpillar

Shame that is was really windy and overcast, they were really nice specimens.