www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi,

I took these photos of a blue in Amsterdam early this week. Is it just a Common Blue? All my photos
of Common Blues seem to have at least some orange on the hindwings. I cant find what else this could be? I've looked
in Tolman and cant find anything like this that would occur in the Netherlands.

I'd gladly try to ID them but I can't see the pictures. It might be just me - sometimes there is a problem viewing things from Switzerland for some reason. If they don't show on your screen, perhaps you should try uploading them again.

Guy

Im not sure why i couldn't link directly to my picasa album, but you can access it here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/naturevhl/ID

Hi,

Yes, this is common blue.

The cell spot on the underside of the forewing is the giveaway. Although there are some other similar species with a cell spot (the genus Lysandra, for example) the overall appearance confirms common blue. It is not uncommon for the orange lunules to be rather worn, as here, though you are right - a typical fresh specimen is much brighter.

Guy