Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Jonny721 · Post by **Jonny721** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:37 pm

Went looking for Butterflies with a mate at Warton Crag in Lancashire today, and whilst there we spotted this little one.At the time we couldn't decide if it was a Northern Brown Argus or a female Common Blue, and even now after looking at pictures on the internet I'm still not sure! It seems to show a mixture of features between the two. Anyone with more experience of Northern Brown Argus able to help us out on this one?

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:42 pm

I'm pretty sure this is Northern Brown Argus ssp. salmacis.

Cheers,

- Pete

Jonny721 · Post by **Jonny721** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:52 pm

That's great thanks Pete! My first sighting of this species having previously missed them at several sites in 2011 and 2012

David M · Post by **David M** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:41 pm

The 'pointier' wings scream Northern Brown Argus ssp. salmacis to me.

Post by **Padfield** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:22 pm

As so often, the fact this is a male rules out the possibility it is a common blue!

Guy

MikeOxon · Post by **MikeOxon** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:39 pm

I have noticed myself that salmacis sometimes lack the 'colon' mark on the underside of the hindwing, which is often taken as a discriminator for Brown Argus. in your case, the inner spot of the 'colon' is present but very much reduced.

Mike

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:51 pm

padfield wrote:As so often, the fact this is a male rules out the possibility it is a common blue!

Guy

How on earth did I miss something that obvious?

Cheers,

- Pete

Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue

Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue