• Small Skipper
• Essex Skipper
• Large Skipper
• Dingy Skipper
• Grizzled Skipper
• Swallowtail
• Clouded Yellow
• Brimstone
• Large White
• Small White
• Green-veined White
• Orange-tip
• Green Hairstreak
• Purple Hairstreak
• White-letter Hairstreak
• Small Copper
• Brown Argus
• Common Blue
• Chalkhill Blue
• Holly Blue
• White Admiral
• Red Admiral
• Painted Lady
• Small Tortoiseshell
• Peacock
• Comma
• Pearl-bordered Fritillary
• Dark Green Fritillary
• Silver-washed Fritillary
• Speckled Wood
• Wall Brown
• Marbled White
• Gatekeeper
• Meadow Brown
• Small Heath
• Ringlet
• < HOME PAGE

Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus

Maresfield, Photo: Dave Mitchell

Recorded sightings in 2009: 14

Recorded sightings in 2010: 121

Status in Rother: Often generally distributed but widely varying numbers occur from season to season due to parasitism. Very few reported sightings in 2009. More garden records would provide a greater understanding of its status.

Habitat: The Holly Blue occurs in a wide range of habitats, including hedgerows, field margins, woodland rides, gardens, and parks, including those in urban and suburban areas. It often breeds in churchyards, many of which have Holly and Ivy. The larvae feed predominantly on the flower buds, berries, and terminal leaves of Holly in the spring generation, and Ivy in the summer generation.

ID Tips: Light blue butterfly which often flies at head height or higher.

First sighting in Rother (2009): 13 April
Recorded by: Laurie Bowman

First sighting in Rother (2010): 17 April
Recorded by: Charlie Winchester

UK Distribution trend: 36%

Ten year UK Population trend (1995-2004): -30%

Long term UK population trend: 281%