Photo © Steve Lyn

Short-tailed Blue

Cupido argiades

Checklist Number
61.011 [B&F: 1570]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Lycaenidae
Subfamily:Polyommatinae
Genus:Cupido
Species:argiades
Authority:(Pallas, 1771)

Local in woodland clearings, scrubby grassland and flower meadows; 0-1000 m throughout much of central and eastern Europe. In Britain, has appeared as a migrant in the south on less than 20 occasions, the first in Dorset in 1885. In Hampshire, a very rare immigrant. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 25-30 mm. Larva feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Crown Vetch, Tufted Vetch, Black Medick and Lucerne.