Cambridge, Madingley Road Park & Ride TL423594, 15 Jul 2008.
A small butterfly which is quite widespread but seldom seen because it lives high up in oak tree tops. The adults mainly feed on aphid honeydew, and according to Butterfly Conservation are only driven down to the ground to seek fluid and nectar during prolonged drought. This one hadn't read that article.
Brown Argus Aricia agestis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Cambridge 19 Aug 2000.
The Brown Argus is reported to have expanded its range in the last
decade and is now found throughout Cambridgeshire where its larvae
feed on Geranium spp.
Female Common Blue Polyommatus icarus are very similar
but have dots near the base of the under fore-wings which are not
seen on this individual. Also the upper wings generally have
at least a bluish sheen on P. icarus.
Cambridge, Old St Ives railway line TL464614:
16 & 19 Aug 2002. (Apparently the same individual!)
A common species distributed over the whole of Great Britain.
The Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus is very similar on the under surface, but confined
to chalkland in southern counties so not a possible contender here. P. bellargus
is a brighter blue on the upper surface.
Larva feed on Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
and other creeping Leguminosae.
