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• Holly Blue butterfly

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Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus
Family - Lycaenidae

The Holly Blue is a resident UK species with a wingspan between 20–30mm (0.8–1.2in), it can also be found in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.  In the UK it is found mainly in southern England, Wales and southern Ireland, occurring in scrub and damp woodlands, often in clearings rich in flowers, they like to sit on the leaves of shrubs and trees.  Pale blue in colour with narrow black and white outer margin to both wing pairs, appears silvery whilst in flight, at rest shows white wings with black spots.  Two (sometimes three) generations in a year, the first flying April to May and laying eggs on Holly, the second flying August to September laying eggs on Ivy.  caterpillars can live on various shrubs, mostly Holly, Ivy and Buckthorn – Rhamnus, the pupa hibernates.

Agassiz #61.012, Bradley & Fletcher #1580

Male	Female	Underside
Photos © David Miller Click any photo for a larger image Close window

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