Photo © Pete Eeles

Small Blue

Cupido minimus

Checklist Number
61.010 [B&F: 1569]

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

Classification

Family:Lycaenidae
Subfamily:Polyommatinae
Genus:Cupido
Species:minimus
Authority:(Fuessly, 1775)

A rare Red Data Book species, on chalk downland, south-facing hillsides, embankments, quarries and sea cliffs; 50-400 m (50-2800 m in Europe), in much of the British Isles; mainland Europe and Scandinavia. There are good populations in Hampshire on Martin Down and Portsdown Hill and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-24 mm. Larva feeds on Kidney Vetch, subsequently living underground where attended by ants.