Photo © Pete Eeles

Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

Checklist Number
61.018 [B&F: 1574]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Lycaenidae
Subfamily:Polyommatinae
Genus:Polyommatus
Species:icarus
Authority:(Rottemburg, 1775)

Common on downland, sand-dunes, sea cliffs, heaths, waste ground, quarries and rough grassland; 0-700 m (0-2900 m in Europe) throughout much of the British Isles; mainland Europe and Fennoscandia. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common. Wingspan 28-36 mm. Larva feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Common Restharrow and Black Medick, subsequently living underground where attended by ants.