Description
The smallest of all the British butterflies the small blue is sometimes known as the “Bedford Blue” or “Little blue” the under-side of the wings are silver gray with black spots, similar to that of the Holly Blue butterfly. The upper-side of both the male and female is a sooty brown although the male has a blue sheen.
Where
Locally Distributed throughout England although mainly found in the Central and Southern Counties
Habitat
Sheltered warm sunny grassy slopes or in hollows and often on chalk hills in places where kidney vetch grows in abundance
Information
- Name: Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
- Family group:Blues – Lycaenidae.
- When: Early May – late June
- Size around: 25 mm
- Larval Food Plant: solely kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria)
- Adult Nectar Plant: Bird’s-foot trifoil, Horseshoe Vetch, kidney Vetch
- Population Status: stable
- Photographed: 27th May 2012, Tottenhoe knowls
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