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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

Hi Buggy,

they are all males.

All the best, Nick.

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?

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.

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

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

Dave