A couple for ID

[Mike Young]

Hi folks, I took these shots in the Loire valley France back in June, I would very much appreciate some ID confirmation as I never seen either of these before




I'm thinking short tailed blue ?




Green underside ?


Unfortunately I couldn't get images of the uppersides

[Padfield]

They're both alcetas (Provençal s-t blue). More comment later - I'm in the field myelf at the moment!

Guy

[Mike Young]

Much appreciated Guy, many thanks for the quick reply

[Padfield]

I didn't see the third picture, as the reception wasn't good enough. That is green-underside, as you suggested.

Guy (still in the field, but on the way home)

[Cotswold Cockney]

Walking about some scrubby fields on the Island of Elba back in 1976, as I got into the car I noticed what appeared to be a fully grown Lycaenid larva on my sock. No idea how it got there but, I enclosed it in a match box with a flower head of some Vetch growing nearby. I used to smoke back then ~ not touched a fag for 30 years ~ It duly pupated and the following spring, a perfect Green Underside Blue emerged... Lovely things...
..

[Mike Young]

Great story, thanks for sharing, they are lovely butterflies, I was chuffed to see my first

[Rogerdodge]

Mike
Great to see you back on the forums.
Looking forward to more of your excellent photography.

[Mike Young]

Thanks Roger