www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I see we have a Langs short tailed blue in the database which I guess is related but where in Europe would I be likely to find a Bloxworth Blue - if at all?

DM
(On undercover work for Back Garden Moths. )

Bloxworth Blue is an alternative name for the Short-tailed Blue. It refers to the fact that some of the first British records were from Bloxworth Heath in Dorset in 1885. It seems the species may have been temporarily resident there at that time.

Misha

Dormouse wrote:...where in Europe would I be likely to find a Bloxworth Blue - if at all?

They moved into my local patch in Switzerland last summer, and in good numbers. I saw plenty of mating and laying. Now waiting all agog to see if they reappear here in the spring.

Until last year, my impression was that their close relative, the Provençal short-tailed blue, was on the up and short-tailed on the down. I found Provençal short-tailed all over the place, in Switzerland, Spain and France. But then last August short-tailed suddenly started appearing, frequently in the same places and mixing with Provençal.

Guy

I can second Guy's comments. I've seen the Provencal version each time in France... Dordogne, Alps and Pyrenees.... but only seen the Bloxworth version twice.... however... comments appreciated... I have photos of ? halfway versions with a slight hint of orange on HW... not sure what to call them but presume STB!!.. Is there any cline involved, are they interbreeding???
example..

That's pure-bred Provençal, Roger! Fresh Provençal often shows some orange. This one was taken in France this year:



To the best of my knowledge there's no interbreeding at all.

Guy

PS - I've just looked through all my short-tailed blue pictures and this is the weakest marked I've got:



Still massively more than these hints at orange crescents in Provençal

Thanks for that... another uncertainty sorted!

Sorry Paul, I called you 'Roger'!

Guy

Thanks for that. Seems it will need someone who can tell the difference between the two though.

DM

Dormouse wrote:Seems it will need someone who can tell the difference between the two though.

Actually, it's easy. Roger wears glasses and Paul has a stethoscope slung round his neck.

Guy