Silver-studded Blue
(Plebejus argus)
Description
Wingspan: 29-31mm
This is the smallest of the bright blue butterflies and one of the most attractive. The underwings are silvery with the distintive orange band on the hindwing. Bordering this band is a row of black spots which contain the blue studs the give the butterfly its name. The upperside of the maleis a deep blue bordered with black which is fringed with white. The female upperwings resemble those of a Brown Argus, whilst her underwings are noticeably browner than that of the males.
Flight Period
Late June to Early August
Larval Food Plants
In Wiltshire the only colonies are on heathland and in this habitat the catapillar foodplants are Heather, Cross-leaved heath and Bell Heather.
Habitat Requirements
Heathland, a rare habitat in Wiltshire with a few fragments in the far south east corner.
Wilshire Status
Resident uncommon
Wiltshire Sites
Lanford Common
Pound Bottom
Early Sightings
19th June 2010 Hamptworth Estate
24th June 2009 Hamptworth Estate