Photo © Nick Montegriffo
Silver-studded Blue
Plebejus argus
Checklist Number61.014 [B&F: 1571]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Subfamily: | Polyommatinae |
| Genus: | Plebejus |
| Species: | argus |
| Authority: | (Linnaeus, 1758) |
A vulnerable Red Data Book species, on acid heaths, sand-dunes and quarries; 100-400 m (0-2000 m in Europe) in parts of southern England, Wales and East Anglia; mainland Europe and Fennoscandia. In Hampshire still widespread in the New Forest, with good populations on Silchester Common and Broxhead Common. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 24-34 mm. Larva feeds on Heather, Gorse and Bird's-foot Trefoil, subsequently living underground where attended by ants.