Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

OTHER NAMES: Wood Blue, Azure Blue
Latin Etymology: Celastrina (?) argiolus (?)

Adult Holly Blue (subspecies C. a. britanna) at Brent Reservoir, London - July 2009

Featured Subspecies: Celastrina argiolus britanna
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 26-34mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

Holly Blues are the second most common species of blue butterfly in the UK. They are are small, and can be identified by their markings. Despite their name, they are found on a wider variety of plants than just holly including bramble, gorse and ivy.  Adults often feed on sap,aphid honeydew and carrion.

Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Lycanidae 
Genus: Celastrina
SUBSPECIES: C. a. argiolus, C. a. bieneri, C. a. britanna, C. a. hypleuca, C. a. mauretanica, C. a. iynteana, C. a. kollari, C. a. kollari, C. a.caphis, C. a. ladonides, C. a. sugurui, C. a. cinerea, C. a. echo, C. a. gozora, C. a. ladon

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington, Brent Reservoir and numerous other sites 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto