Celastrina argiolus
Wingspan: 35mm
Description
The silvery blue underwings of both sexes are marked with tiny black dots. The underwing also lacks any orange so it is unlikely to be confused with any other blue butterfly at rest. The Small Blue underwings are similar but this has sooty upperwings, whereas the Holly Blue’s upperwing are blue not unlike the Common Blue.
Flight Period
Usually double brooded: April – Early June and July – Early September. Occasional third brood in September.
Larval Food plants
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) Fruit in Spring
Ivy (Hedera helix) summer brood
Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
Dogwood (Thelycrania sanguinea)
Gorse (Ulex spp)
Alder Buckthorn (frangula alnus)
Habitat Requirements
Woods & Copses
Hedgerows
Gardens
Wiltshire Status
Resident, widespread & fairly common
Wiltshire Sites
Any suitable habitat
Earliest sightings
Earliest county record 22nd January 2012, Colerne Ford (Mervyn & Julie Tyte)
Latest county record
9th November 2011