The Blue family of Butterflies ​(Lycaenidae)

These are the Blue family of Butterflies that Lorraine and I have spotted so far in either our Garden or the bank at the back of the garden since we began back in late July 2000. Where possible we try to image the different sexes if there is an obvious difference between them. They are presented in the order in which we usually first see them. Note the Brown Argus and Small Copper have hardly been seen in our garden in recent years. 
Lorraine and I hope you enjoy looking at these pictures - even though they are probably not the best ever taken of Butterflies!  

Holly Blue Butterfly
Celastrina argiolus 

Holly Blue Butterfly

This is a male as the female has black tips on the forewing.

Holly Blue Butterfly

Side view nicely showing the underwing markings.

Holly Blue Butterfly

This is the female noted by the dark tips on the forewing.

Holly Blue Butterfly

Female

The Holly Blue is usually the first of the blue butterflies to be seen in early spring and is often seen in gardens, hedgerows, field edges and where ever there is  Holly and or Ivy - usually found in churchyards. It is mainly found in England and Wales with a smattering of locations in Ireland. There are often two broods with the first appearing in late March/early April and the second usually late June to early September. The underside is quite silvery blue with simple black dots for markings which once it settles helps in identifying it from other Blue species. The male has a blue upper surfaces whilst the female has dark  patches along the tips of the upper wings. Food plants include Holly and Ivy, Dogwoods, Gorse and Bramble.

Common Blue Butterfly
Polyommatus icarus

Common Blue Butterfly

This is the male which really is blue unlike the female!

Common Blue Butterfly

This is the female which is primarily brown with some orange spots and a subtle bluish tinge near the abdomen.

Common Blue Butterfly

Female on a thistle.

Common Blue Butterfly

Male with a nice view of the underwing markings.

Common Blue Butterfly

Female showing the underwing markings.

The Common Blue Butterfly is one of the most widespread of the small butterflies found all across the UK and Ireland. The Males have bright blue upper surfaces whilst the Females are brown with a hint of a blue sheen towards their abdomens and often have orange spots along the wings. The Females colour can vary across the region with Scottish examples often being blue on the upper sides. The brown females can often be confused with the Brown Argus Butterfly. They can be found from May to September with two main broods between these months  but there are widespread variations across the UK and Ireland. Food plants include Common Bird’s-foot trefoil and White Clover amongst others and they are often seen in grassy places and waste ground.

The Small Copper Butterfly
Lycaena phlaeus

Small Copper Butterfly

On a tulip in our garden a few years ago!

Small Copper Butterfly

Small Copper Butterfly

Small Copper Butterfly

Side view of the underwings markings.

The Small Copper is a stunning little butterfly and like the Brown Argus the colour would not suggest it is part of the Blue family! Like a lot of ‘blue’ species it likes chalk but has a wide variety of habitats including grass, heath and coast. There can be two and sometimes three broods during the year beginning in May and extending into September with an occasional appearance in October and even November if the weather is mild enough. Food plants include  Sheeps and Common Sorrel and sometimes Broad leaved Dock. The Small Copper can be found across the UK and Ireland but with fewer locations in Scotland.