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Butterfly ID
Topic Started: Sep 16 2008, 02:56 PM (19,501 Views)
Chris
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This looks to me like a Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus semiargus) which is one of those not found in the UK. If this can be confirmed, I'll post it in my butterfly thread.
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feedyourhedgehog
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I can't be sure but it does look like a small blue to me :thinking:
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Chris
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:hello1: Tufty. Little Blue was one of the first ones I looked at but decided that it wasn't what I had. One of the reasons was that the black spots on the forewing of mine are almost like an unfinished letter 'C' whereas the same spots on the Little Blue seem to be straighter. I also think that there are one or two other small differences on the hindwing. However, I could be wrong - it has been proved before! ;)
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Davebutterflyman
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:hello1: Chris


The main pointer is usually the sub-marginal area of the under hindwing....Small Blue,in both sexes,always has a small black cell spot (although it can vary in size,shape and placement)

If you zoom in on your photo Chris you can see the cell spot in the wing margin (just to the left of the 4th main discal spot)

However in some cases of Mazarine Blue this can also be present.

You are right to point out the 'C' shape in the upper f/w discal spots and this is always straighter on Small Blue.

Also on your photo you can see just one prominent basal spot and on Small Blue there is always two.

Bearing all this in mind your image is of Mazarine Blue
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Chris
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Thanks for the confirmation of the ID, Dave, and particularly for the detailed pointers as to what to look for. They are going to be very useful. I've never seen a Mazarine before and so it's another first for me! :yay: I'll add it to my butterfly thread.

By the way, in my Collins butterfly guide there is no Small Blue; it's described as Little Blue. Which is correct?

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Davebutterflyman
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:hello1: Chris

The official taxonomic name is Small Blue,Cupido minimus and the name 'Little Blue' is an old name that lepidopterists used but was never recognised officially.
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Chris
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:hello1: Dave. Thanks for the info. It's Small Blue from now on!
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Deleted User
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Please, I am not that good on the butterfly front. Is this a Wood White ? or something else...............

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And this one?

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Davebutterflyman
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:hello1: Judy

1.Green-veined White
2.Speckled Wood
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Deleted User
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Ahhh,...... :grin: Thanks Dave
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Davebutterflyman
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Pleasure Judy.
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NBShaz
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Hi .. is this a Holly Blue please :D

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:thanx:
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Davebutterflyman
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Sure is! great capture Shaz :cool2:
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NBShaz
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:thanx: Dave :yay:
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Davebutterflyman
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Lovely butterflies aren't they.
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Chris
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Holly Blues seem to be everywhere - I think this is another of them, despite one or two marks having gone missing! :lol2: Am I correct, please?
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Davebutterflyman
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Spot on Chris and a lovely capture of the Celastrina argiolus.
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Chris
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Thanks, Dave. :shake:
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Davebutterflyman
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Most butterflies tend to lose scales,including cell spots.lunules etc as they progress through the flight period and none more so than the Lycanidae genus,Common blues especially.
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Dovetail-Marg
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Dave I've got a couple of butterfies I'm not 100% sure on, so could you id them for me please.

Is this a Brimstone, I questioned it because I rarely see them, and saw quite a few when I was out the other day, and quite a lot posed for me. :grin:

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Is this Adonis blue?

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