| Actual Image
Admired by an Ant (62)
uleko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2543 W: 170 N: 7734]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (24475) | Amanda’s Blue – Polyommatus amandus
This is a common species in the southern half of Sweden. It is slightly larger than the Common Blue with a wingspan of 31-36 mm. It can be found on meadows, in flower-rich forest clearings and along the seashore where the food plants are Vicia cracca, Lathyrus pratensis and Medicago sativa. When fresh it is quite easy to identify the male by the ice blue silvery sheen on the wings which have black margins. The underside is ash-grey with small black spots and very pale orange spots on the hind wing. On the underside of the forewing it lacks the black spots near the base that are present in the Common Blue. The female is brown.
In Sweden it flies from mid-June to mid-August.
The flower in the picture is Alkanet or Common Bugloss Anchusa officinalis. This is a plant native to Europe that grows primarily in sandy or gravelly soil.
This was captured from a distance of ½ metre with the camera handheld. It has been cropped and sharpened. NeatImage on background. It was overcast at the time, hence the butterfly is resting with closed wings. I didn't see the little ant when I took the picture! |
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