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Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)

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This butterfly is the commonest blue found in the British Isles. While the male has a bright blue uppersides, the female (pictured) is primarily brown, with a highly variable amount of blue. This species has two broods per year in the southern counties of England, and one brood further north. In good years, adults may be seen as early as mid May in the South, peaking at the end of May, giving rise to a second generation that emerges in the second half of July, peaking in the middle of August. They are active in the sunshine and found in a wide variety of habitats feeding on flowers such as Bird's-foot Trefoil, Black Medick and Common Restharrow. In dull weather this species roosts head down on a grass stem. Picture taken at Felmersham, Bedfordshire 19th May 2011.

Added:
17th Sep 2011 by Diane Earl

Subjects:
Biology, Environmental Science

Key Stages:
Foundation, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 4+

Geocode: Felmersham

Keywords:
butterfly insect invertebrate

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