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| Polyommatus icarus has very rich markings on the underwings, seen on the lovely young female on the left. The butterfly pictured on the right is an "elderly lady" with a good amount of blue sheen on her brownish wings. The orange spots are clearly visible on the margins of her wings. Both photographs by Taina. |
| Polyommatus icarus � Common Blue (Lycaenidae) Appearance: This delightful and active little beauty with a wingspan varying from 28mm to 34 mm loves sunny areas and flies close to the ground. The males often have a clear sky blue upper wings the exact hue depending on the wear. Females have brown upper wings with varying amounts of blue sheen with a row of orange spots in the margin of their wings. On both sexes the underwings have particularly rich markings of dark spots with a white rim and a row of orange spots following the margin. Geographical distribution/ habitat: Common in all types of grasslands and heathlands, dry or damp, in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Host plant: The main host plants are Leguminosae (vetches, for example). Food plants: Visits various flowers for nectar; especially fond of clovers and vetches. Flight time: In Europe, April to October, even to November in successive broods. In North of Europe there is just one generation. Other: Hibernates as an immature caterpillar. In the spring the caterpillar growes very slowly; it can take more than two months for it to pupate. Taina's Butterfly Page Photos and Information Index Home Butterfly Garden |