Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae

1574 (ABH61.018) Common Blue Polyommatus icarus, (Rottemburg, 1775)

KR07163

Sullington, West Sussex, Aug 2006.
Sullington, West Sussex, Aug 2006.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Sullington, West Sussex, Aug 2006.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Swavesey-Over Cutting, May 2009, (male).
Swavesey-Over Cutting, May 2009, (male).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Over-Swavesey cutting mitigation area, May 2009, (female).
Over-Swavesey cutting mitigation area, May 2009, (female).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Huntingdon, June 2006, (female).
Huntingdon, June 2006, (female).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, June 2007, (female).
Monks Wood, June 2007, (female).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bernwood Forest
Bernwood Forest
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, July 2004, (male).
Monks Wood, July 2004, (male).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood, Aug 2008, (female).
Monks Wood, Aug 2008, (female).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, Aug 2006 (female)
Monks Wood, Aug 2006 (female)
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, August 2010
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, August 2010
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General InformationOverwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Wingspan: 29-36mm
Foodplant(s): Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)
Flying: Two/three generations, May-late June, July-September and October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Sunny, sheltered grassland, road verges and woodland clearings.

Regional Information

Recorded in 230 (85.2%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2024

Recorded date range (Adult): 07 February to 25 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 01 May to 28 July

Recorded date range (Egg): 01 June to 01 June

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Brown Argus Aricia agestis
Devil's Dyke
Devil's Dyke
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon (=Lysandra)
Hemingford Grey, female, April 2005.
Hemingford Grey, female, April 2005.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Green