Photo © Pete Eeles
Small Blue
Cupido minimus
Checklist Number61.010 [B&F: 1569]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Subfamily: | Polyommatinae |
| Genus: | Cupido |
| Species: | minimus |
| Authority: | (Fuessly, 1775) |
A rare Red Data Book species, on chalk downland, south-facing hillsides, embankments, quarries and sea cliffs; 50-400 m (50-2800 m in Europe), in much of the British Isles; mainland Europe and Scandinavia. There are good populations in Hampshire on Martin Down and Portsdown Hill and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-24 mm. Larva feeds on Kidney Vetch, subsequently living underground where attended by ants.