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Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Images contributed by UK
photographer Mike Young.
Males have the upper side wings in a brilliant sky blue, with a fine black line round the edge and a white margin.
The females are chocolate brown with a few blue scales near the base, and with orange spots, bordered by blue scales, around the edge of the hind wing. The fringes are checkered on both sexes. The ventral side is brownish grey with black and orange crescent spots.
Caterpillars reach 1.6 centimeters / 0.63 in.
The Adonis Blues overwinter as caterpillars. They are green with short, yellow stripes, which camouflage them while they feed on Horseshoe Vetch during the day.
In April-May and July-August the caterpillar forms into a chrysalis in small crevices or hollows and is then buried by ants in earth chambers connected to the ant nest. The ants constantly attend to it for around three weeks, protecting it from predators.
They are most commonly seen during April and late July as they search for ants to 'milk' the ants sugary secretions.
A striking feature of the Adonis Blue is the distinct difference in appearance between males and females, a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism.
Active predominantly during the summer months from May to September, the distinct coloration makes them jewels of the insect world.
Their presence signifies the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, making them not only subjects of beauty but also of ecological importance.
They prefer flowery hillsides on limestone and chalk valleys, and in warm, sheltered spots.
They are characterized by a fast and erratic flight pattern, and they tend to fly low over vegetation, navigating their environment with precision.
Diet: caterpillars feed exclusively on Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa).
Diet: adults feed exclusively on flower nectar.
Wingspan: approx. 3 - 3.8 cm / 1.2 - 1.5"
Family: Lycaenidae
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
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