Three butterflies from the garden today. Lastly a small Holly Blue, feeding from a flower of Green Alkanet, a species of Borage. I like these little butterflies with their hairy bodies and neat black and white antennae.
I spotted one of these in the park today, I'd never knowingly noticed one before but they're quite lovely. It looked like it would probably be hard to capture with their wings open though.
@beryl Thank you Beryl, it was probably one of two species. The commonest is the Common Blue, the male of which has very bright violet-blue upper wings with a white fringe.
The other common one is this, the Holly Blue, with a paler blue colour. Though you can find these in trees and other plants they really like Ivy and Holly, laying eggs on the different species at different times of the year. The butterflies use both plants for food for themselves and their caterpillars, and will also hibernate or take cover in Ivy.
@markp Thanks for info Mark , I didn't have a chance to really examine it - as It flitted so quickly as I recollect it was quite small and I think ,pale blue upper wing but as for markings I haven't a clue !! Shall have to keep my eyes open for another sighting !!
May 18th, 2016
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The other common one is this, the Holly Blue, with a paler blue colour. Though you can find these in trees and other plants they really like Ivy and Holly, laying eggs on the different species at different times of the year. The butterflies use both plants for food for themselves and their caterpillars, and will also hibernate or take cover in Ivy.