Possible silver-studded blue?

[Frances]

Please could one of you experts confirm that these butterflies are silver-studded blue and not common blue please? Found them this morning on the coast path in West Cornwall, near Nanjizal: a truly wonderul sight.

[m_galathea]

Hi Frances,

Welcome to UKB Numbers 1, 2 and 4 are all Silver-studded Blues. No. 3 I think is Silver-studded (female) but I'm not 100% on that... I'm sure somebody will be able to confirm this one.

Alexander

[Frances]

Hello Alexander. Two and three were the same butterfly, definitely a female; number 4 was chasing after her, but she didn't seem terribly interested! Number one was 100 yards further on. I am so pleased that they are silver studded - thank you so much for your help. I've been examining lots of photos, but still wasn't quite sure: I am new to butterflies. Lots of other butterflies around this morning too: speckled wood, large and small skippers, large and small heaths, meadow browns, ringlets (I think - large, dark, and a strange bouncy flight as if someone was pulling it on a string); also a couple of small tortoiseshells, a red admiral, and a few remaining painted ladies.

[m_galathea]

Ah so all Silver-Studded then! I was hesitant because I haven't seen a female with that much blue on the wings, although my experience of this species is very limited unfortunately.

As you can see, Cornwall is very rich in butterflies; I have always enjoyed the coast especially. There should still be lots of Small Pearl-bordered and Dark Green Fritillaries around at the moment.

your last SSB photo is very well done btw, and above all good find! Keep us posted on what you see

[m_galathea]

large and small heaths

Only the Small Heath lives in Cornwall, the Large Heath is a nothern species so it's likely you made a mistake on that one.

Alexander

[Frances]

Quite likely! Yes, it was a female Meadow Brown, looking at the pics again. Thank you for putting me right.

I've not yet seen any fritillaries this year - I've looked in a place where I saw a Small Pearl Bordered last year and the year before, but no sign. I don't think I've ever seen a Dark Green Fritillary here. Obviously time for a visit to Cudden Point. Thanks for help.