www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

Nigel

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

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