Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
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?
- Pete Eeles
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Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
I'm pretty sure this is Northern Brown Argus ssp. salmacis.
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
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Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
That's great thanks Pete! My first sighting of this species having previously missed them at several sites in 2011 and 2012
Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
The 'pointier' wings scream Northern Brown Argus ssp. salmacis to me.
- Padfield
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Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
As so often, the fact this is a male rules out the possibility it is a common blue!
Guy
Guy
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Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
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
Mike
- Pete Eeles
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Re: Northern Brown Argus or Common Blue
padfield wrote:As so often, the fact this is a male rules out the possibility it is a common blue!
Guy
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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