UK Butterflies

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Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

po-lee-oh-MAY-tuss IK-uh-russ

Wingspan
29 - 36 mm

Checklist Number
61.018

Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

po-lee-oh-MAY-tuss IK-uh-russ

Wingspan
29 - 36 mm

Checklist Number
61.018


Living up to its name, this butterfly is the commonest blue found in the British Isles. While the male has bright blue uppersides, the female is primarily brown, with a highly variable amount of blue. This is the most widespread Lycaenid found in the British Isles and can be found almost anywhere, including Orkney. It is absent, however, from Shetland and the mountainous areas of Wales and Scotland. This butterfly forms reasonably discrete colonies measured in tens or hundreds, with individuals occasionally wandering some distance.

This species was first defined in Rottemburg (1775) as shown here (type locality: Germany).

The nominate subspecies is found throughout England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. It may also be found in some parts Ireland, although there is some confusion regarding its status, as discussed under the subspecies mariscolore.

This subspecies was first defined in Kane (1893) as shown here (type locality: Ireland).

Kane first hinted that such a subspecies existed in his European Butterflies [Kane (1885)] where he says "Often the females of L.Bellargus [Adonis Blue] and Icarus [Common Blue] are indistinguishable, and a female form of the latter occurs corresponding to v. (female) Ceronus of the former. Occasionally the male of L.Icarus also assumes a more vivid blue, as in Spain, etc., and the blk. ray points extend slightly into the fringe."

In his definition of mariscolore, Kane (1893) refers to South (1887) who makes similar observations with a direct reference to Irish and Scottish specimens: "Male ... Fig.2 shows a male icarus, closely approaching male bellargus in colour; and fig.3 a decidedly violet specimen. These two last are from Ireland, and were kindly sent me, together with others, ... by Mr. Percy Russ, of Culleenamore, Sligo. Several of the males from Sligo exhibit a tendency to the bellargus coloration, but the one figured is the most decided. The only other locality from which I have seen similar examples is the Isle of Hoy, but these are not quite so striking as the Sligo specimens, and the bellargus colour is mostly confined to the inferior wings. In typical icarus the hind margins of all the wings have a linear black border; this in English specimens does not usually attract one's attention, but in Scotch and Irish examples it is sometimes very conspicuous ... In a few of the Sligo specimens there is a distinct row of black spots on the inferior wings internal to the marginal border. Female ... Some female icarus from Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire; and others from Castletown, Co. Cork, Ireland ... are very handsome. The blue, which in these specimens is of a violet tint, suffuses nearly the whole of the wings up to the large and bright orange crescents. These last are almost confluent, and consequently the orange marking appears band-like, as shown in the Scotch example, Pl.II., fig.6 ... Both sexes of Irish and Scotch are uniformly larger than English specimens".

Ford (1945) makes an additional observation regarding the wing shape, saying "In Ireland, however, occurs a characteristic and brilliant sub-species which has arisen in isolation there. The specimens are large and tend to have rather pointed wings, while the females are heavily marked with blue, and the orange crescents along the outer margin of their wings are exceptionally well developed". Ford (1945) also claims that "gynandromorphs are very much more frequent in the Irish than the British race".

The distribution of the subspecies mariscolore is a confusing one. In describing mariscolore-like features, both South (1887) and Kane (1893) make reference to both Irish and Scottish specimens. Indeed, Dennis (1977) states that "The most exaggerated development of the subspecies the writer has seen is from Burray and mainland Orkney - extremely large insects ... with large, bright red lunules on the upperside of the female". Thomson (1980) confirms that a race "resembling" mariscolore is found in north and west Scotland but that "subspecific differentiation without a careful analysis of all the factors and characters involved is not considered to be justified". Thomas & Lewington (2010) state that mariscolore is found both in Ireland and in north-western Scotland. When it comes to Ireland, Nash (2012) suggests that both ssp. mariscolore and ssp. icarus are found there. It is certainly true that not all Irish Common Blues conform to the description of mariscolore, which is characterised by the amount of blue in the female, since many individuals are brown with a variable amount of blue. Riley (2007), however, seems to take a different position from all other authorities, stating that mariscolore is "Restricted to Ireland where it is widespread and common" and is the only subspecies found there, but gives no explanation for this position. Aldwell & Smyth (2015) say that "In Donegal the female Common Blue, most frequently observed, is the beautiful subspecies mariscolore", suggesting that this is not the only subspecies found. The authors go on: "It is also found in NW Scotland and parts of Scandinavia which suggests that the colouration is temperature-influenced", but give no explanation for this assumption or provide any analysis of the temperature difference with other regions.

The subspecies mariscolore differs from the subspecies icarus as follows:

  • 1. Generally larger in size, especially the female.
  • 2. The upperside of the female has extensive patches of blue, with large and bright orange marginal spots.

Polyommatus icarus ssp. mariscolore (Kane, 1893)

In the first place, the Irish butterfly usually considerably exceeds in size that of England, varying from about 1 inch 2 lines to 1.5 inches in the June emergence; but the individuals of the second emergence are much smaller, and generally conform much more nearly to the usual English type in both sexes, to which, therefore, I need not further refer. Probably referable to var. pusillus, Gerhard (cf. Dale's 'British Butterflies'). Mr. South notes that the Irish and Scotch icarus are similarly characterised by their large size, and the brilliant blue of the female bordered with bright orange marginal ocelli ...

The female offers the most conspicuous divergence from the normal English and Continental type, in which the basal half only is dusted with blue scales (fig.8), the brown of the upper side being widely replaced by a violet or occasionally wholly by the bright blue of L. bellargus. These forms are not uncommon in Ireland, in Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Antrim, Down, Westmeath, Waterford, &c., and are accompanied by a series (often almost confluent) of very bright orange peacock-eye markings on the outer margins of all wings, so that some specimens (if not too brilliant) would pass muster as the var. ceronus of L. bellargus (fig. 12); another most interesting testimony to the genetic affinities of this species. This var. ceronus of icarus occurs in some abundance at Ballynahinch, Connemara, and at Ardrahan and other parts of Galway, as well as in some central and southern localities ...

Taking a general view of the foregoing, we note, firstly, that the Scotch and Irish races are unusually large (Mr. Jenner Weir notes the Orkney insect being "unexpectedly large," 1 inch 5 lines - Ent. xiv. 3), that they vary in parallel directions from the English type, and present as numerous genetic characters linking them to other species as do the latter; and in the female sex have acquired generally a very remarkable one in addition, and instance of gynandrochromism. It may be that the acquisition of more brilliant colours in the female may be of advantage under less sunny skies, where the sun-loving Rhopalocera have less opportunities of selecting their mates, and cannot afford to indulge in long engagements ...

I have not heard that this Irish variety of the female has been recorded as a local form from the Continent; and as it is an important parallel variation to that of L.bellargus and var.syngrapha of L.corydon, think it may receive the varietal name of mariscolore.

[The counties mentioned in this definition are shaded green in the image below.]

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Description to be completed.

The distribution data (2000-2009) has been made available through the generosity of Butterfly Conservation and any subspecies distribution is taken from Riley (2007). Click here to see the distribution of this species together with site information overlaid.

This species is found in a wide variety of habitats, including unimproved grassland such as roadside verges and waste ground, downland, woodland clearings, heathland and even sand dunes.

Despite a general decline in distribution, this butterfly remains widespread and is not currently a species of conservation concern.

The table below shows the occurrence (distribution) and abundance (population) trends, using information from The State of the UK's Butterflies 2015 (Fox, 2015). Any UK BAP status is taken from the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (2007 review).

UK BAP Status
Occurrence Change
1976-2014 (%)
Abundance Change
1976-2014 (%)
Occurrence Change
2005-2014 (%)
Abundance Change
2005-2014 (%)
Not Listed
Decrease -17Decrease -17Stable +1Stable +1

This species has 2 broods in the southern counties of England, and 1 brood further north. There may be a 3rd brood in favourable years. Time of emergence is highly variable. In good years, adults may be seen as early as the middle of May on more southerly sites. These peak 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. Colonies in northern England and Scotland typically have a single brood that emerges in June, reaching a peak in July.

Polyommatus icarus ssp. icarus

Polyommatus icarus ssp. mariscolore

This species is most active in sunshine and is a frequent visitor to flowers. Males are the more active of the two sexes and set up territories which they patrol in search of females. The female is less conspicuous, spending most of her time nectaring, resting and egg-laying. When egg-laying, the female makes slow flights, low over the ground, searching out suitable foodplants on which to lay. When a suitable plant is located, a single egg is laid on the upperside of a young leaf.

In dull weather this species roosts head down on a grass stem. As for similar species, such as the Brown Argus, this species roosts communally at night, with several individuals occasionally found roosting on the same grass stem.

Adults feed primarily on Bugle (Ajuga reptans), clovers (Trifolium spp.), Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), knapweeds (Centaurea spp.), ragworts (Jacobaea spp.), thistles (Carduus spp. and Cirsium spp.), vetches (Vicia spp.), Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) and Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus).

The white bun-shaped eggs are quite visible and can be easily found on good sites. This stage lasts just over a week.

"Several eggs laid between August 26th and 30th, 1891, started hatching on September 5th and continued until the 15th, remaining ten days in the egg state ... On August 11th, 1901, the author saw a female deposit an egg at 3 p.m. on the upper surface of a leaflet of Lotus corniculatus, at the tip of the sprig. It hatched on August 20th, remaining in the egg state nine days ... The egg is laid singly on the basal upper surface of the leaflet of Lotus corniculatus, usually one of the smaller young leaves. This applies to wild females. They will also deposit freely on any of the smaller clover plants in captivity, laying on all parts of the plant, but usually select the upper surface of the leaves. The egg is very small, being 0.60 mm. in diameter; it is of a compressed circular form; the crown is sunken and the micropyle more so; the whole of the upper surface is covered with raised reticulations of an irregular network pattern, which increase in size on rounding the side, and develop into a fine lacework-like pattern, forming triangular cells; the reticulations rise into knobs at each angle. On nearing the base the pattern decreases and finally disappears, and leaves the base smooth and rather concave. The ground colour is a pale greenish-grey, all the reticulations being white." - Frohawk (1924)

The larva emerges after a week or two. On emerging from the egg the larva moves to the underside of the leaf, where it feeds, by day, on the lower surface without breaking through the upper leaf surface. This leaves characteristic blotches on the foodplant that can give away the presence of a larva. More mature larvae feed more extensively on the leaves. Those larvae that overwinter do so in leaf litter at the base of the foodplant, changing from green to olive, resuming their green colouring in the spring.

Like many other species of blue, the larva is attractive to ants, although only in its last instar. There are 5 instars in total. If the larva does not overwinter, then this stage lasts around 6 weeks.

The primary larval foodplant is Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) and Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) are also used.

1st Instar

"The larva emerges by eating away the crown of the egg. Shortly after emergence the larva measures 1 mm. long; of the usual Lycaena form. The first segment is large, rounded and projecting, the sides rather flat, the segments clearly defined and humped dorsally; there are two longitudinal dorsal rows of long curving white serrated hairs, two pairs on each segment, the anterior one being very long with a dusky shining swollen base; the posterior one, placed a trifle lower down, is similar in structure, but less than half the size. Below in the centre of each segment is a sub-dorsal lenticle, and between this and the spiracle are three more very small ones. The anterior one bears a very minute white hair; the spiracle is dark and shining; along the lateral ridge on each segment are three long white serrated hairs projecting laterally, each having a black shining base; on the ventral surface and claspers are simple finely pointed white hairs. The head is concealed under the first segment while at rest, and is olive-brown and shining. The body is a clear light citrine-green, whitish and shining in a high light. The entire surface is densely sprinkled with minute black points; the legs and claspers are the same colour as the body. The larva feeds on the cuticle of the lotus leaves, chiefly on the under side. Before first moult, six days old, it is 1.4 mm. long; the colour is pale ochreous, with a slightly darker greenish longitudinal dorsal stripe." - Frohawk (1924)

2nd Instar

"The first moult on September 4th, the first stage occupying about nine days. After the first moult (shortly before the second) it measures 2.12 mm. in length. The segments are prominently humped dorsally; a central longitudinal furrow, the sides flattened; the hairs of similar structure to those of the previous stage, but it has several additional ones, including four on each segment down the medio-dorsal surface; the body is wholly ochreous-green, granular and shining, but without the small black points in the first stage." - Frohawk (1924)

3rd Instar

"As a rule only a small number of the larvae from the first brood feed up and pupate the same summer; the majority feed and grow very slowly, therefore they remain small, and after their second moult enter into hibernation at the end of September or early in October. They continue in complete torpidity until the warmth of the following spring, either in March or early April. In the north of Scotland and Ireland there is apparently only one brood, which occurs in June and July ... The second moult on September 20th, the second stage lasting about sixteen days. After the second moult they feed for a time, and then hibernate low down on the under side of the leaves and stems, also among the moss or other shelter they are able to find suitable for hibernation, which is complete, lasting for five or six months. On March 7th, 1906, three larvae left their hibernacula; a fine warm day with a temperature (shade) of 69 degrees. Before the third moult 204 days old, and shortly after hibernation, it measures 3.2 mm. long. It is similar to the previous stage, but the hairs are now very numerous and of all sizes; they are whitish with dark pedestal-like bases; there are numbers of small lenticles, mostly situated in clusters round the spiracles. The colouring is of a uniform pale ochreous-green, with paler longitudinal dorsal, sub-dorsal and lateral lines; the head and legs are shining black. The very small head is completely hidden under the first segment while at rest, and only protruded during feeding or crawling." - Frohawk (1924)

4th Instar

"The third moult on April 2nd, 1906. Before the fourth moult, 234 days old, it is 6.3 mm. long. It is similar to the previous stage, excepting it is more uniformly green and with yellowish sub-dorsal and lateral lines; the spiracles and pedestals of the hairs are shining bronze-black. The larva greedily feed on clover blossoms; also one was found feeding on an unopened flower bud of buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)." - Frohawk (1924)

5th Instar

"The fourth and last moult occurred during the last week of April. After the fourth moult, fully grown, it measures 12.7 mm. long. The head is very small and shining black; while at rest it is withdrawn into the first segment and entirely hidden. The first segment is compressed and projecting; the segments are humped dorsally from the second to ninth inclusive; the remaining segments are compressed. On the tenth segment is a transverse dorsal honey gland, and a retractile tubercle on each side of the eleventh segment behind the spiracle; a slight medio-dorsal furrow extends from the second to ninth segments inclusive. The sides are flat and sloping, with a dilated lateral ridge. The whole surface is finely granulated and studded all over with whitish serrated hairs of various lengths, some being extremely small; those on the dorsal humps and along the lateral ridge are longest, and on the latter they form a projecting fringe all round the larva; each hair is mounted on a pedestal base; there are also scattered over the body numerous minute lenticles, and a dorsal plate on the first segment, of a pale whitish-green studded with star-like points. The colour varies in different specimens, but normally it is a very rich pure brilliant green, with a medio-dorsal darker green longitudinal line and a pale greenish-white lateral stripe; there are very indistinct sub-dorsal stripes, but only visible in certain lights; on the tenth segment is a dull reddish-brown dorsal blotch only visible when viewed from above, and below, when it appears redder; the spiracles are whitish, and the legs ochreous-yellow." - Frohawk (1924)

The pupa is formed on the ground or, occasionally, at the base of the foodplant, under a few silk strands. The pupa is attractive to ants which may bury it in earth. This stage lasts around 2 weeks.

"The first larva pupated on May 20th, 1909. The larva spins a loose cocoon formed of a few strands of silk among the stems of the plant. The pupa measures 9.5 mm. in length. Side view: The head is rounded; thorax swollen and sunken at the waist, the abdomen slightly swollen and forming a curve to anal extremity, which is firmly embedded in the cast larval skin; the wings are rather swollen at the middle. Dorsal view: Head rounded, angular at the base of wings, then straight to the waist, wings slightly curved and running off in a line with the attenuated abdomen. Colouring: The head is ochreous-buff, tinged with green; thorax green, abdomen more or less greenish, wings pale ochreous, blending into greenish at the base; the whole surface is finely reticulated, and, excepting the wings, legs and antennae, it is sprinkled with minute whitish bristles, very finely serrated, chiefly at the tips; on the head and sixth abdominal segment near the spiracle are a few hairs with branching tips; all have brownish bulbous bases; also on the abdominal segments close to the spiracles are numerous minute brownish lenticles giving it a granulated appearance. Such is the description when six days old. At first the pupa is translucent, but the colouring is much the same as described. On the twelfth day the colour becomes opaque, the wings a creamy-ochreous, the eyes brown, and finally it changes to a dark leaden colour before emerging. The first imago emerged on June 3rd, 1909, remaining fourteen days in the pupal state." - Frohawk (1924)