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  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    145010.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156599.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    126829.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    144997.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    144998.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - male (top row; far right = aberration) - female - (bottom row; far right = aberration). Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    157170.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper - Hesperia comma - (male - top, female - bottom). Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    156984.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156563.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136361.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    119647.jpg
  • Adonis Blue - Polyommatus bellargus - male (top row) - female (middle and bottom row). Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    157167.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    136185.jpg
  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    136177.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    140055.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    136169.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136201.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus - Aricia artexerxes - ssp. artaxerxes (top and middle row) - <br />
ssp. salmacis = Durham Argus (bottom row).  Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    157169.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    145187.jpg
  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    145011.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    144893.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    123682.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    105181.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    156683.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145251.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    144892.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    136200.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    105190.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - female. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156567.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    141121.jpg
  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    136178.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    110106.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156598.jpg
  • Small Blue Cupido minimus Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    145009.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145250.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    140056.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    156684.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon - Male. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156280.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    156281.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144877.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    136170.jpg
  • Brown Argus Aricia agestis Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    133424.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156626.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    136199.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    115903.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue - Polyommatus coridon - mating pair. Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    156597.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    155570.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144876.jpg
  • Small Blue - Cupido minimus - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. Britain’s smallest butterfly; extremely active in sunshine, lethargic on overcast days. Adults have smoky-brown upperwings, those of males having a purplish iridescence; underwings of both sexes are grey with small black dots. Flies June–July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Kidney Vetch. Very locally common in England, Wales and southern Ireland; usually associated with chalk grassland because of  larval foodplant’s requirements.
    157261.jpg
  • Silver-spotted Skipper Hesperia comma Wingspan 34mm. An iconic butterfly that is restricted to chalk downland. Adult recalls a Large Skipper but the dark brown upperwings have distinctive pale spots; the greenish-brown underwings have silvery-white spots after which the species is named. Flies August-September. Larva is nocturnal and feeds on grasses. Very local in southern England, and only on chalk downs.
    145254.jpg
  • Brown Argus - Aricia agestis - male (top row) - female (bottom row). Wingspan 25mm. A well-marked butterfly of grassy habitats. Adult recalls a female Common Blue but note the smaller size and that orange submarginal spots on brown upperwings are much more striking. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Double-brooded: flies May-Aug. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose and storksbills. A distinctly local species, restricted to southern and central England, and often on chalk downland.
    157168.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144879.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144878.jpg
  • Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon Wingspan 40mm. Iconic downland butterfly, males of which are a unique colour amongst British blues. Adult male has pale sky-blue upperwings; female’s are dark brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Flies July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; sometimes discovered at dusk being attended by ants. Very local and restricted to chalk and limestone grassland in southern England.
    133427.jpg
  • HEMP-AGRIMONY Eupatorium cannabinum (Asteraceae) Height to 1.5m. Tall, upright and downy perennial that grows mainly in damp grassland and marshes, but (perhaps surprisingly) also in scrub on chalk. FLOWERS are dull pinkish lilac; borne in heads, 2-5mm across, comprising 5-6 florets, in rather dense, terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are 1-seeded with pappus hairs. LEAVES are trifoliate and borne in opposite pairs up the stem.
    106382.jpg