Common Blue on Birds Foot

The common blue is easily mistaken for the holly blue. However, the undersides of the wings are attractively spotted with orange near the edge of the wing, whereas those of holly blues have pale blue undersides with plain black spots. This species can be abundant on downs and other natural grasslands, including coastal dunes. The male's upperside is bright violet-blue with white fringes but the female's is brown with variable amounts of blue, usually close to the body.

The eggs are laid on a wide range of leguminous plants including bird's foot trefoil. The caterpillars are green with a darker dorsal stripe. These butterflies are on the wing from May to October in two broods and regularly visit country gardens.

Food
Caterpillars: food includes bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), greater bird's-foot (Lotus pedunculatus), restharrows (Ononis sp.) and lesser trefoil(Trifolium dubium); adults: meadow flowers.