Advice

Is the holly blue butterfly rare?

Is the holly blue butterfly rare?

In England and Wales this species is widespread and common, south of a line running from Cumberland in the west to County Durham in the east. This species is also found on the Isle of Man and throughout Ireland, but is absent from Scotland except as a scarce vagrant.

Is there a holly blue butterfly?

The holly blue is a small blue butterfly that emerges in early spring, from March to May, and then again at the end of the summer between July and September. This is the blue butterfly most likely to be found in gardens, as well as woodlands, parks and churchyards.

Where do holly blue butterflies live?

Where do holly blue butterflies live? Holly blues can be seen in woods, parks and gardens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but are not frequent in Scotland. Yearly numbers fluctuate but they are increasingly common. The holly blue is the national butterfly of Finland.

What is the difference between Common Blue and holly blue butterfly?

To distinguish the habitat of the two species; Holly Blue is associated with woodland edge habitats, woodland rides, hedgerows and churchyards. Whereas the Common Blue prefers grassy habitats, waste ground-dune systems, but is often seen in most habitats, except dense woodland.

What does a holly blue butterfly eat?

What they eat: Adults drink oozing sap, aphid honeydew and carrion juices. Caterpillars usually eat holly and ivy, but also dogwood, spindle and heathers.

What does seeing blue butterflies mean?

Blue Butterfly Symbolism Blue butterflies have many positive associations. They can be a reminder to be at peace with your life, and to feel calm and joy in your situation. As a precious color, a blue butterfly could be a sign to look for the value in your life.

Do holly blue butterflies hibernate?

Holly blue butterfly and hibernation Holly blues overwinter in their chrysalis on the ground near their food source plant, ivy. It is the generation born in late summer which overwinters.

What plants do holly blue butterflies eat?

Adults drink oozing sap, aphid honeydew and carrion juices. Caterpillars usually eat holly and ivy, but also dogwood, spindle and heathers.

How long do blue butterflies live?

How long do butterflies live by species

Butterfly Species Adult Lifespan
Grizzled Skipper 2 – 6 weeks
Ringlet About 3 months
Large Blue 2 – 3 weeks
Small Blue About 3 months

Where do holly blue butterflies lay their eggs?

In spring females lay their eggs at the base of flower buds on holly bushes. Later in the year females use ivy bushes, as well as sometimes spindle, dogwood and heathers.

How do you identify a holly blue butterfly?

The Holly Blue is easily identified in early spring, as it emerges well before other blue butterflies. It tends to fly high around bushes and trees, whereas other grassland blues usually stay near ground level.

What is the wing span of a blue butterfly?

These butterflies originate from South America and the wing span can be up to 15cm. blue butterfly stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Butterflies in flight Butterflies in flight. Colorful tropical butterfly decorative elements on white for design, vector illustration blue butterfly stock illustrations

Where can I find Holly blue?

It is much the commonest blue found in parks and gardens where it congregates around Holly (in spring) and Ivy (in late summer). The Holly Blue is widespread but undergoes large fluctuations in numbers from year to year.

What do Holly moth larvae eat?

The larvae feed predominantly on the flower buds, berries and terminal leaves of Holly ( Ilex aquifolium) in the spring generation, and Ivy ( Hedera helix) in the summer generation. The spring generation can complete larval development entirely on leaves of male Holly bushes, although female bushes are preferred.