Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Tribe: Polyommatini
Genus: Aricia
Species: agestis

Key ID Features:
Both sexes are chocolate brown with bold orange lunules, reaching the wing tips in the female but sometimes almost absent on the forewings of the male.
It differs from the female 'blues' in having no blue scales on the upper side.
The female is slightly larger with more rounded wings and a darker underside than the male.

Seen in UK: Late May-September

Unlike most other "blues", the Brown Argus has no blue scales on its upperside, both sexes being primarily brown in colour as its common name suggests, although the butterfly does exhibit a blue sheen when at certain angles to the light. Both sexes have beautiful orange spots on the upperside of both forewings and hindwings.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Location: Salisbury Plain

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Tribe: Polyommatini
Genus: Aricia
Species: agestis

Key ID Features:
Both sexes are chocolate brown with bold orange lunules, reaching the wing tips in the female but sometimes almost absent on the forewings of the male.
It differs from the female 'blues' in having no blue scales on the upper side.
The female is slightly larger with more rounded wings and a darker underside than the male.

Seen in UK: Late May-September

Unlike most other "blues", the Brown Argus has no blue scales on its upperside, both sexes being primarily brown in colour as its common name suggests, although the butterfly does exhibit a blue sheen when at certain angles to the light. Both sexes have beautiful orange spots on the upperside of both forewings and hindwings.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Location: Salisbury Plain

Photographer: Tim Tapley