Blue Butterfly - but which one is it?

[millerd]

It's not that often that I am stumped when identifying a butterfly amongst the UK species, but this rather worn blue has me a bit puzzled.

It was seen on Denbies Hillside on the North Downs on 24th June, and unfortunately I didn't get to see the underside. I think it may be a female Holly Blue because of the dark areas and lack of any marginal spots, but the abdomen looks long and more like that of a male. However, it doesn't look like any worn male of the three possible species there (Holly, Adonis and Common). Have I missed something obvious? Feel free to heartily mock if I have...

Cheers,

Dave

[Padfield]

I think the wing shape and structure are wrong for holly blue - and I think it is a male. My instinct says adonis, but I'm not sure I'd even stake half a pint on being right ... What can be seen of the vegetation (some kind of medick?) points more to common blue.

Guy

[bugboy]

For me it's either a male Common or Adonis Blue. Like Guy it doesn't look right for a Holly Blue to me. If I were forced to guess I'd lean towards Adonis, I think the remaning blue is just a bit to intense for a Common.

[millerd]

Thank you Guy and Bugboy - I'll go with your instincts and put this one down as Adonis.

As it happens, I was out today looking at some Silver-studded Blues on Surrey heathland, and was struck by the fact that some of the worn males looked very similar to the mystery butterfly I'd seen at Denbies. However, it is a very long time since SSB flew on the North Downs, so I hadn't even considered the possibility.

Dave