Chalkhill Blue male or female

[bugboy]

An afternoon at Denbies today to enjoy the Chalkhill Blues which were putting on a marvelous show in the bright cloudy light.

I assumed at the time I was only seeing males (did see a few 'brown' blues flying but male Common Blues were also on the wing and none landed so couldn't get a positive ID on any) but looking at some pics on my computer I have noticed some of the 'males' have a few red scales on the hindwing lunules Does this make them females ab tithonus or something similar? I only have uppersides of these.

First picture is awefully out of focus and only still exists because of the red scales

and one without any red lunules to compare:

Thanks in advance

[Nick Broomer]

Hi Buggy,

they are all males.

All the best, Nick.

[bugboy]

Thanks Nick, I must admit the abdomens all look very 'male like' which just added to the confusion for me. Do males, often turn up with red scales, not something I've noticed before?

[Nick Broomer]

Hi Buggy,

they turn up now and again, but not that common as far as i know. I have personally only seen the orange markings once, but i know other people on this forum have seen them. Photo below.

All the best, Nick.

[bugboy]

Thanks for the info Nick. There were several other butterflyers on Denbies today, I wonder if anyone else found any?

[millerd]

I was not there today, Buggy, but I have seen these males fairly often at Denbies. They are known as ab. suavis.

Dave