Latin Etymology: Lysandra ("liberator") coridon (?)
Adult Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) at Roston, UK - July 2026
Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: ? / Wingspan: 30-36mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated
A large species of blue butterfly which prefers calcareous grasslands, that is, where the soil is alkaline due to being composed of chalk or limestone, particularly here they host lots of wildflowers. The species is very sedentary and tends not to travel very far to colonise new habitats which can make them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. As caterpillars they feed on horseshoe vetch and have a symbiotic relationship with various ant species - the catepillars produce a sugary fluid for the ants in exchange for protection.
Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Lysandra
SUBSPECIES: L. c. coridon, L. c. asturiensis, L. c. borussia
- Sighting Locations -
Seen near Royston
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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