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Small Blue
Photo: Philip Bland |
Latin name: Cupido minimus
Size: Wingspan approximately 23mm.
Distribution: Rare. Scattered populations found throughout the UK in small
numbers.
Months seen: May to early July. Sometimes a second generation appears in
August.
Habitat: Sheltered, sunny meadows, downs, and fields. Usually in chalk
or limestone areas where its food plant grows.
Food: Nectar. Caterpillars feed on kidney vetch.
Special features: The Small Blue butterfly is the smallest butterfly in
the UK. The upper surfaces of the wings are a dark smoky-brown colour. The males
usually have a tinge of blue scales where the wings meet the body (but not
always).
 The
undersides of the wings (males and females) are a dusty brown colour with dark
spots. There are no orange spots. Where the wings meet the body there is a flush
of blue scales.
The little white caterpillars are less than 10mm long and feed on kidney vetch
(Anthyllis vulneraria).
UK Safari Butterfly Section
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