What Blue is this?

[Stevie Blunder]

Does anyone know what this blue might be? The one on the right. I took this photo on June 11th 2014 at Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire. Thanks in advance.

[millerd]

They both look like Small Blues to me. The one on the right looks very fresh and has more than the average amount of blue scaling - which is also catching the light at this angle to the camera.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

Hard to see what else they could be if taken in the UK. They are both remarkably 'blue' for minimus though.

[Stevie Blunder]

Thanks for the info. Maybe it's a small Blue ab. I can't find a description to match this image though.

[Stevie Blunder]

Here's another p

hoto taken at he same time if this helps

[Padfield]

Your butterfly does have a lot of blue scaling, but as others have said, this is because it is a fresh male. The angle brings out the colour too.

Here is a small detail from a picture I took in Switzerland of hundreds of little blues. One of them shows a very similar pattern of blue to yours:



I don't think there's any doubt about the identity of your butterfly.

Guy

[millerd]

Here's a link to another example with a lot of blue scaling (seen at Hutchinson's Bank, Surrey, in May this year):
https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/d ... &mode=view
Dave

[Stevie Blunder]

Ok thanks guys. I think you've convinced me. It's a Small Blue. The angle of it's wings in the shot made it look different. Thanks again.

[Chris L]

I am in my first butterfly season as I have announced before and a total novice (but enjoying it immensely). I am doing reasonably well in terms of not seeking assistance but I will need help with this one. Probably spectacularly easy for folk !

I assumed that I was photographing a Holly Blue when I took this photo a few days ago. However, when I got home I started wondering if it is actually a Common Blue. I have used Google to try and identify it for sure - but that has only served to get me immensely confused.

I would be really grateful for confirmation from the learned experts on the forum as to which species it is and how that identification can be reached.

[Jack Harrison]

Common Blue male. Female Coimmon Blues are very different but I'll leave that for you to enjoy discovering.

Jack

[David M]

Hi Otep, as Jack says, this is a Common Blue male.

It isn't a Holly Blue for a variety of reasons. First, Common Blue has a much paler ground colour than Holly Blue. Second, habitat is important - Holly Blues generally don't fly in open spaces; they keep close to tree and scrub cover.

Thirdly, this seems to be a fresh butterfly. Holly Blues would generally be worn by this time, having emerged in late March/early April.

[Chris L]

Thank you Jack and David. I am really grateful for your help.