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Plebeius argus female
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Plebeius argus female / Silver-studded Blue female / Heideblauwtje / Geißklee-Bläuling oder Heidebläuling oder Argus-Bläuling oder Tiefblauer Silberfleckbläuling / L'Argus ou L'Azuré de l'ajonc ou L'Azuré pygmée.
Males are deep blue with a dark border and white fringe, and can be distinguished from other blue butterflies by the presence of a spur on the front legs. Females are brown, but both sexes possess metallic silver spots on the hindwings. The caterpillar grows to 1.3 cm in length, and is green in colour with a dark stripe along the back, and white stripes along the sides.
The silver-studded blue is widespread in temperate areas of Europe and Asia
Habitat:
Found in lowland heathland, chalk grasslands, and some sand dunes. In all three habitats, the species needs short vegetation and ants of the genus Lasius. A supply of the main larval foodplants is also essential. These include a wide range of plants, the more common being heather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and gorses on heathland, as well as common bird's foot trefoil, common rock-rose and horseshoe vetch on calcareous sites.
The adult flight period occurs between July and August on heathland and between June and mid-July on calcareous grasslands. There is a single brood a year; eggs are laid singly near the ground where they overwinter. The following spring the larvae hatch, soon after hatching they are closely tended by ants of the genus Lasius which are attracted by sugar-rich secretions produced by the caterpillar, and provide protection against predators. Pupation usually occurs in or near to ant nests, and the pupa continues to be protected by ants.
Harm |
honza, phlr, wishnugaruda has marked this note useful
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- phlr
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1241 W: 129 N: 881]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2814) - [2005-12-14 4:10]
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Nice shot of this Lycaenidae!
Good colors!
A bit soft on focus on the edge of the wings.
Wonderful photo, composition and technically wise! Thanks for sharing - Xplorator Radu
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- honza
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 716]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(4191) - [2005-12-14 4:40]
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Nice photo of the butterfly. Perfect composition and colors.
Hi Harm,
wonderful arrangement of this pretty butterfly and the flowers. I love the violet colours so much and the soft background that gives a good 3D-effect. Excellent shot, thank you very much, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda
You have so many informations about insects and animals, perhaps you know the name of my "worm" I'm showing today - HELP! Thank you very much and have a nice evening.
