Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)

Family: Lycaenidae Checklist: 61.019

 
Description
Wing span: 30-40 mm. The Adonis Blue sexes are strongly dimorphic; the males are a brilliant blue, and the females are chocolate brown. This species is restricted to the south and east of England. It is found on chalk and limestone grassland where the turf is short.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Adonis Blue ♂ © David Hastings
Adonis Blue ♂ underside © David Hastings
Adonis Blue ♀ © David Hastings
Adonis Blue ♀ underside © David Hastings
Male Male underside Female Female underside
 
Life Cycle
There are two broods each year. The first emergence is in the second half of May, peaking at the end of May or beginning of June. The second emergence is in the second half of August, peaking at the end of August or beginning of September. The larva is the over-wintering stage. Larvae are often attended by a species of red ant (Myrmica sabuleti) or black ant (Lasius alienus).
 
Larval Foodplants
The sole larval food plant is Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa).
 
Nectar Sources
Adults feed primarily on Marjoram and Ragwort.
 
UK Conservation Status
Vulnerable
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 4th May
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 19th May
 
Species Champion
Maureen Cross & Margery Slatter
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Reports
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat specialist. It can be found at these sites:
Berkshire
Lardon Chase
The Holies
Buckinghamshire
Yoesden Bank
Oxfordshire
Aston Rowant NNR
Aston Upthorpe Downs
Crog Hill
Hackpen Hill
Hartslock
Watlington Hill

 
Related Species
All Species