identification please

Kerry · Post by **Kerry** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:27 pm

am new to this site took this photo but cannot find name of this butterfly can you help?

Dave Mac · Post by **Dave Mac** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:40 pm

I can't see the picture

Dave

Post by **Padfield** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:57 pm

This is a female blue. Common blue, Adonis blue and chalkhill blues all have females that look more or less like this, and all are very variable in detail. By default, this is a female common blue but I wouldn't rule out the other two species if the picture was taken in an appropriate calcareous region within their distribution (see the maps on this site). Fresh females are easier to identify because the marginal parts of the wings contain the most reliable clues and these parts get worn away most easily.

Guy