Turquoise Blue??

[Tony Moore]

This was taken in the Pyrenees in June. Is it Turquoise Blue?

Tony M.

[Paul Wetton]

From first glance there doesn't appear to be enough white edging to the underside of the wings for a Turquoise Blue. As it has no cell spot it could be either Chapman's Blue or Escher's Blue. I'd be tempted with Escher's Blue although the spotting on the underside of the wings is not as bold as on many Escher's Blue males.

Do you have an upperside shot of this butterfly or do you remember seeing any sex brands (furry marks) on the inner area of the upper forewings, which Chapman's Blue has and Escher's Blue does not.

Others may have a better idea than me on this one.

All the best.

[Padfield]

Hi Tony. This isn't a turquoise blue. I'd be inclined to suggest it was a common blue, form icarinus. The alternative is Chapman's but the black marginal spotting doesn't seem clean-set enough for this species and in any case there is a hint of a vestigial cell spot. The general appearance and texture suggest icarinus to me.

Turquoise blue has a very distinctive appearance. The books mention the white under the forewing but often fail to note that the whole butterfly looks like a Valentine's Day card, with little orange hearts around the edges:



Guy

Paul - our posts crossed. Escher's is another possibility but I ruled it out on jizz alone. As you say, a full upperside would be helpful.

[David M]

Agree with both the above. I saw my first ever Turquoise Blue this summer in France and what immediately struck me was the pure orange nature of the underside wing spots.

Your butterfly has quite defined brown edges to these orange spots and, like Guy has said, looks very like a Common Blue.

[Tony Moore]

Thanks very much, guys.

I had it down originally as Common, but the lack of a cell spot made me doubtful. Unfortunately, this is the only image that I was able to take.

Tony M.