Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

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2023 photographs highlighted in green. Click on any photograph to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.

31730_female_Var_18Apr13 33011_male_Var_20Jun13 10199_female_Var_3May08 34563_female_Var_25Apr14
     
51050_female_Var_17Jun23      

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.
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

 

31730_female_Var_18Apr13

 

33011_male_Var_20Jun13

 

10199_female_Var_3May08

 

34563_female_Var_25Apr14

 

51050_female_Var_17Jun23