Thursday 19 August 2021

Singing the Blues.


Our native small European Blue Butterflies have fascinated me ever since I was small.


This one was 'fluttering' about by our re-sprouting Astra Zeneca plant (don't know it's real name), presumably to take either moisture or certain nutrients from the soil. It was patient enough to allow me to take photos.

As far as I can tell, it's the 'Common Blue', but to me none of them is common. They seem to be plentiful around here, suggesting that nature is doing just fine. Living out in the country we notice the increase and decline in all things 'natural', and I'm pleased to say that the Butterfly populations are doing OK.

We tend to take butterflies for granted, but they are really lovely creatures; and often very friendly. Our local 'Scarce Swallowtails' often land on our arms or heads. They must know that we mean them no harm.

On a slightly different subject, last year I saw very few Praying Mantis, and no Stick Insects, so I'm on the lookout. I do hope both species are still around.

 

35 comments:

  1. Looks like a female Holly Blue Butterfly. A grand find. Insects go in cycles. We have very few ladybirds this year but last year there were thousands.

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    1. I haven't seen a single Ladybird this year! You could be right about the Holly Blue, it's very difficult to tell as they're all quite similar.

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  2. Once on holiday in Spain and Portugal, walking the cork oak forests I saw my only ever Praying Mantis - fantastic. Don't remember ever seeing a common blue butterfly

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    1. There are usually Praying Mantis here, they seem to emerge in September. I shall make a point of looking for them.

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  3. It looks like a silver studded blue
    Which lives here in llandudno up the orme with the goats
    https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/silver-studded-blue

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    Replies
    1. Again, you could be right. They do all look very similar, and change between illustrations.

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    2. You'll have to try for a snap of the underneath or at least one with it's wings folded.

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    3. Actually I didn't want a photo of it with folded wings, as the underside was less interesting... maybe that's a clue?

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    4. The underside would help identify it but blue butterfly with a white and black border will do. A bit of honey and water will keep it occupied if it's thirsty and should allow lots of snaps.

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  4. Here in South Australia I rarely see butterflies, and haven't seen a praying mantis or stick insect for at least three years. Plenty of bees when the flowers are out and ants by the trillions, but none of the "pretties" anymore.

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    Replies
    1. Is that as a result of Bush Fires? They are susceptible to all sorts of dangers; chemicals, change of climate, and modern farming methods. What a shame.

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  5. They are indeed beautiful creatures and we see lots of them when out walking on the hills. We have seen a few ladybirds in the garden this summer. They like to settle on my damp washing hanging out on the line.

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    1. We usually see them on anything that has Aphids, but this year we have neither Aphids nor Ladybirds. The year is young!

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  6. More likely you are tasty to a butterfly rather agreeable. We rarely see butterflies here, but I guess if you live with grasses, shrubbery and flowers, you would see them.

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    Replies
    1. Plenty of food for them here, both wild and cultivated.

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  7. I reckon it's a male Adonis blue. If you see any brown ones around, that's a female he's looking for.

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    Replies
    1. That makes four suggestions so far; including my own. Frankly it could be any one of the four, they all look so similar.

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    2. Look out for females. Each blue male species has more easy to identify females.

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  8. You will probably find the praying mantises in church and the stick insects will be stuck on crosswords while eating sticky toffee pudding.

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  9. Lovely! I've never seen a blue butterfly. I bought walking sticks one year that soon emerged, or whatever they do, then placed them in my yard in such a way they might survive. I don't know if they did or not, if birds got them, as I've never seen any since.

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    1. I presume that walking sticks are what we call stick insects? I've never seen birds eating them; they probably taste nasty.

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  10. What a gorgeous blue that butterfly is. Lovely to be able to watch it.
    We have all sorts of grasshoppers and praying mantis-es. I noticed a huge one on the basil this morning. Enjoying breakfast no doubt

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    1. We have plenty of big green flying Crickets at the moment, but I'm afraid that many don't survive the mower. I need a long stick to move them from my path.

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  11. I don't believe I have ever seen a blue butterfly. That one is a beauty.

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    1. Most European countries have them. They're not common, but they're not rare either.

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  12. I've never heard of a blue butterfly. The blue color is truly magnificent.

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    1. I don't know where you live, Susan, but in Europe these little Blue Butterflies are much loved and protected.

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  13. We have lots of little blue butterflies visit our garden but I don't know if they are the same as yours as I've only seen them with their wings folded. XXXX

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    Replies
    1. There are always plenty about in the meadows, but this one seemed particularly nice.

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  14. That blue butterfly looks unreal, doesn't it?

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    Replies
    1. It certainly looked very 'perfect', no nibbles on its wings etc.

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  15. I'm in Canada. We are seeing LOT of those stick insects and praying mantis this year in my area.k

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    Replies
    1. So, that's where they've all gone! I think they turn-up quite late in the year, so I might still see some.

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