Large Blue
Image: Zerocool.marko (CC BY 4.0)
Common NameLarge Blue
Scientific NamePhengaris arion
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblue, black
HabitatDry grasslands, chalk downlands, heathlands, often with specific host plants and ant species.
Geographic RangeEurope (western, central, southern), parts of temperate Asia (Russia, Mongolia, China).
Host PlantsThymus serpyllum, Origanum vulgare
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Lifecycle NotesLarvae initially feed on Thyme or Marjoram flowers, then drop to the ground and are adopted by specific Myrmica ant species. They are carried into the ant nest, where they feed on ant larvae until pupation.
Identification TipsLook for the combination of a rich blue upperside with a prominent row of black spots on the forewing. It is larger than most other blue butterflies, and its unique lifecycle involving ants is a key characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with iridescent blue wings on the upperside, marked with a distinctive row of black spots on the forewings. The underside is a paler blue-grey with numerous black spots, often ringed with white.
