Plebejus argus 
Wingspan: 29-31mm
Description
This is the smallest of the bright blue butterflies and one of the most attractive. The underwings are silvery with the distinctive orange band on the hindwing. Bordering this band is a row of black spots which contain the blue studs the give the butterfly its name. The upper side of the male is a deep blue bordered with black which is fringed with white. The female upperwings resemble those of a Brown Argus, whilst her underwings are noticeably browner than that of the males.
Flight Period
Late June to Early August
Larval Food Plants
In Wiltshire the only colonies are on heathland and in this habitat the caterpillar's foodplants are Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) and Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)
Habitat Requirements
Heathland, a rare habitat in Wiltshire with a few fragments in the far south east corner.
Wilshire Status
Resident, rare and extremely local.
Wiltshire Sites
Lanford Common
Pound Bottom
Earliest Sightings
Earliest county record 5th June 1893
Latest county record
28th August 1981