See-through Blue

[David Tipping]

I photographed this common blue at Cerne Giant Hill earlier in the month. Look closely and you can see the underwing spots through the upper wings. I suspect it is probably a butterfly that has been around for a while and is beginning to lose a few scales, but if anybody has a different theory I'd be interested to hear it.

[Padfield]

I thought I'd reply because no one else has and that is always a little disappointing!

That's a lovely picture, but in fact it's quite normal to see the underside spots of blues, particularly common blues, through from the upperside. Unfortunately, you rarely see the spots that are crucial to identification! Now you've spotted the phenomenon you'll probably keep seeing it everywhere!

Guy

[Paul]

Yep, you do keep seeing it... it's on this chalkhill photo too....