Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
2024 photographs highlighted in yellow. Click on any photograph to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 31730_female_Var_18Apr13 | 33011_male_Var_20Jun13 | 10199_female_Var_3May08 | 34563_female_Var_25Apr14 |
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| 51050_female_Var_17Jun23 | 52184_male_Var_24Jun24 |
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The male ups has a very narrow black border, thicker at the apical area, whereas the female has a heavier black upf border which is thicker and extends along the costa in the second brood. It usually settles with wings closed, though. The uns cannot really be confused with any other species as the unf spots are straight and in vertical alignment. |
It is one of the first butterflies to emerge in the UK
and can often be seen flying at higher levels above the ground than you would
expect for a blue. In 2024, a "late" year with most species occurring in greatly reduced numbers both in the UK and abroad, argiolus seemed to be one of the few winners, seemingly in greater numbers than usual especially in the first brood. |
| ref | sex |
observations |
alt. m |
| 31730 | F | a first-brood female. | 0 |
| 33011 | M | a male, taking salts. | 560 |
| 10199 | F |
a female, based on body shape. There are vestigial, but clearly visible, unh marginal marks most marked in s2 and s3. This seems unusual, but maybe this is only because I have never noticed it before. |
450 |
| 34563 | F | a female, egg-laying on Bramble (Rubus fruticosus). | 20 |
| 51050 | F | a female, known for sure as I had a view of the upperside, at a rather higher altitude than normal for this species. | 810 |
| 52184 | M | a male, with a typically "clean" underside. | 200 |
