Polyommatus bellargus
This species is a chalk downland specialist, with Horseshoe Vetch the sole larval foodplant. As Horseshoe Vetch is easily swamped by more vigorous plants, it requires a short sward to flourish. This means that breeding sites require light grazing, either by rabbits, or introduced grazing animals. Adonis Blues live in close-knit communities and tend not to wander very far from their colonies. Should a colony be lost it can take a very long time for re-colonisation to take place.
The brilliance of the blue together with the chequered white fringe of the outer wings readily identifies the male but the female can be easily confused with Chalk Hill Blue.
First adults emerge sometime in May depending on the spring weather, with numbers peaking in late May/early June. There is a second emergence in late summer, often when Chalk Hill Blue is in steep decline, and this helps to differentiate between the females of these two species.
Locations to see Adonis Blue, include: Anchor Bottom at TQ205093, Beachy Head at TV562957, Castle Hill at TQ368068, Mill Hill at TQ210073, and Medley Bottom (Amberley) at TQ044116.
Female Adonis Blue with open wings - photo by Dave Brown
Second-brood male on Carline Thistle - photo by Dave Brown
Female on Small Scabious - photo by Dave Brown
An "older" male - photo by John Williams
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Adonis Blues feeding on dung - photo by Dave Brown
A mating pair - photo by Martin Buck
Butterfly Conservation Adonis Blue
