Brown Argus. Photo: Andy Martin

Andy saw his first Brown Argus of 2018 at Ulwell, near Swanage on 7/05/18.

He thinks it is possibly the first sighting of this species so far this year.

The flight period for Brown Argus is generally April-October in 2-3 broods.

To beginners this small butterfly can be difficult to identify as it can look very similar to a female Common Blue, so a clear view of the under side of the fore-wing is most reliable. In Common Blues there would be an single spot near to the base of this wing, but in Brown Argus it is missing.