The Large Blue butterfly, however, is less symbiotic, exhibiting a form of parasitism of a specific species of the Myrmica ant. The caterpillars, being similar to Myrmica ants physically and chemically and possibly using other forms of mimicry, trick the ants into taking them back to the ant nest, where they either become a predator of the ants larvae or beg for food by acting like an ant larvae in what is known as a “cuckoo” strategy
Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus)
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Tribe: Polyommatini
Genus: Polyommatus
Subgenus: Lysandra
Species: bellargus
Key ID Features:
Male upperside iridescent blue-underside similar to Common Blue but with chequered fringes.
Female dusky brown with blue scales near body and outer edge of hindwings.
Seen in UK: May-June and August-September
The Adonis Blue is a species of chalk downland, where it may be found in warm, sheltered spots. The male Adonis Blue has brilliantly-coloured blue wings that gives this butterfly its name, and can be found flying low over vegetation, seeking out the less-conspicuous females that are a rich chocolate brown in colour. Like its close relative, the Chalkhill Blue, the distribution of this species follows the distribution of Horseshoe Vetch which, in turn, follows the distribution of chalk and limestone grassland. However, this species has a more restricted distribution than the Chalkhill Blue, indicating more precise habitat requirements.
Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
