Chalkhill Blue butterfly

Lysandra coridon

family - Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers & Hairstreaks)

Chalkhill Blue butterfly

The Chalkhill Blue butterfly is identified by the dark veins crossing the white fringe of the upperside of the wings. The male is blue on the upperside but a slightly paler, chalkier blue than the Common Blue; the female is brown.


My personal observations of the Chalkhill Blue butterfly

Seen in my Wiltshire garden: 3 August 1999 - very rare garden visitor

garden plants that attract this species: Hyssop

Images:

thumbnail link Female.

thumbnail link On Hyssop.

thumbnail link 3 August 1999.

Butterfly sightings 2005:

I decided that I really wanted to see and photograph a Chalkhill Blue this year, so went out looking for one.

Chalkhill Blue on Knapweed at Barrow Wake, 18 August
Chalkhill Blue on Knapweed at Barrow Wake, 18 August
Chalkhill Blue also seen at Whitesheet Hill, 21 August

observations:

Chalkhill Blue butterflies are fairly common on the limestone grassland of the Cotswold hills. Cirencester is a small market town on the edge of the Cotswolds. I don't expect to see Chalkhill Blue butterflies in my garden though as I doubt that there's a nearby colony.

Reference Section

Size: 38mm (smaller than the Small White - see list of butterflies by size)

First Generation flight period: July-September

Habitat: chalk or limestone grassland
Larval Food Plants: Vetches, Bird's Foot Trefoil
Wild Nectar Plants: Knapweed

Family Group: Lycaenidae - see list of butterflies by family

This page last updated: 23 December, 2005