Tag Archives: silver-studded Blue

A greyish brown and blue butterfly with black, white and orange markings on purple coloured flowers

Silver-studded Blues. Photo. Tracy Whincup

A greyish brown and blue butterfly with black, white, blue and orange markings on a purple coloured flower

Silver-studded Blue (female). Photo: Tracy Whincup

Tracy sent in these two photos with the following comments:

I returned to Higher Hyde Heath today, 09/06/2023 hoping to see a mating pair and I wasn’t disappointed.  I spotted several pairs and there was an increase in the number of females from my previous visit. I thought you might also like to see this female  – her “studs” are so beautiful.

Editor’s Note:  In both sexes the metallic blue dots on the outer edge of the underside of the hindwings which are clearly shown in the lower photo give this butterfly its name although “silver” is rather a misnomer

A greyish brown and blue butterfly with black, white and orange markings on green leaves

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Tracy Whincup

Tracy sent in this photo telling us:

I visited Higher Hyde Heath today, 07/06/2023 and the Silver- studded Blue butterflies were easily spotted – males were showing in good numbers but I only saw around 4 females.

Editor’s Note:  The male is best distinguished from the similar Common Blue by the thick black borders to both the underwing and upperwing.

A brownish and blue butterfly with orange markings and white fringe to the wings

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Daniel Law

Dan sent in this photo of a female Silver-studded Blue taken at Higher Hyde Heath on 28/06/2022 with the following comments:

How often do we overlook the “dowdier” females when they can often be really bright and colourful in their own right?  This individual looked to be newly emerged, straight out of the paintshop!

A blue butterfly with white fringe to the wings and some black markings

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Kevin Denham

A blue and greyish butterfly with black, white and orange markings and white fringe to the wings

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Kevin Denham

Two photos sent in by Kevin telling us:

I have been walking Warmwell Heath, close to where I live, for several years now with the expectation of finding Silver-studded Blues as the habitat there seems to be ideal. On Friday 17/06/2022, I came across what appears to be a thriving population, recording 19 individuals, both males and females. This appears to be the first record of Silver-studded Blues on Warmwell Heath. Good news I think

A blue and greyish butterfly with black, white and orange markings on a brown plant stem

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Adrian Read

Adrian sent us this photo of just one of the 6 Silver-studded Blues he saw near Wool on 29/05/2022.

Editor’s Note:  This is likely to be the first sighting of Silver-studded Blues reported to Dorset BC this year – last year the first sighting of one reported to us was 11 days later than this one, on 09/06/2021.

View of a blue butterfly with some black markings and a white fringe to the wings

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Paul Swann

A blue and greyish butterfly with orange, black and white markings

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: Paul Swann

Two photos from Paul taken yesterday, 15/07/2021 sent in telling us:

I know Silver-studdded Blues can occupy a variety of habitats but I was quite surprised to see this one at Longham Lakes today

View of a blue and greyish butterfly with orange, black and white markings resting on green vegetation

Silver-studded Blue. Photo: John Woodruff

A view of two mating blue and greyish brown butterflies with orange, black and white markings

Silver-studded Blues. Photo: John Woodruff

John sent in these photos saying:

A quick trip to Morden Bog this morning, 15/07/2021 was rewarded with a large number of Silver-studded Blues all dying to have their photographs taken. It was also noticeable that there was a large contingent of females amongst the flighty males but alas no Graylings yet to report from this reserve.