Blue conundrum

[Nigel P]

Could someone please ID these Blues, I think they're either Common or Adonis. We found them at Yoesden Bank last Sunday (6th), there were good numbers of both these species along with Chalkhill, Brown Argus and a solitary late Small Blue.

Thanks,
Nigel

[MikeOxon]

Since no-one else has risen to the challenge, I'll have a go! I agree with the Common Blue suggestion mainly because of the grey-ness of the male underside. Out of interest, I put together some of my own photos of mating pairs and was surprised how similar the 'spotting' is between these three species. I wonder what has made this such a stable pattern in view of its apparent complexity?

Also, a comparison of three males:

Mike

[David M]

Good analysis, Mike. I erred towards icarus at the beginning but I'm even more confident now.

[Chris Jackson]

Your comparative line up of the 3 blues, Mike, makes it easy to spot the differences. Nice tutorial.
Hmmm, gives me ideas of things to do this winter.
Chris

[Nigel P]

Hi Mike, thanks very much and for going to the trouble of putting together the comparison photos.

Nigel

[Aughie]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/737/2062 ... 233b_z.jpg

You can see the males wing in this pic of common blues