Plebejus argus
This attractive little blue butterfly is intimately associated with heathland, but it only thrives in Sussex where there is a high-level of focussed, conservation effort. In West Sussex, there are colonies at Chapel Common (on the West Sussex/Hampshire border), and at Iping and Stedham Commons near Midhurst. In East Sussex, there several small, scattered colonies at Ashdown Forest.
The male Silver-studded Blue is a very distinctive butterfly. The background colour is a medium inky-blue, and it has a wide blackish outer rim, with a pure white fringe. The female is brown with a row of orange lunules along the rear edge of the hindwing, with variable indistinct orange smudges bordering the forewings. It would be difficult to confuse Silver-studded Blues with any other British butterfly species.
The first adults emerge in the first half of June, with peak numbers seen in the last week of June and the first week of July. The flight period continues until late August.
There are two sites in West Sussex, Chapel Common at SU822287 and Iping Common LNR at SU846221 and the adjacent Stedham Common LNR at SU856217. In East Sussex, head for Ashdown Forest (Camp Hill) at TQ473292.
Male Silver-studded Blue resting on Heather – photo by Graham Hubbard
Male perched on Heather flowerhead – photo by Dave Brown
Female with open wings – photo by Graham Hubbard
Male with open wings – photo by Katrina Watson
Female with closed wings – photo by Katrina Watson
A mating pair – photo by Graham Hubbard
Butterfly Conservation Silver-studded Blue
