Common Blue
Polyommatus icarus
A small grassland butterfly found in meadows, roadside verges, dunes, and other open sunny places across much of Europe and nearby regions. Adults fly low over vegetation, feeding on nectar from clovers, trefoils, thistles, and similar flowers. Males are bright blue above and actively patrol for mates, while females are often browner with orange-spotted wing edges. A notable part of its life cycle is its association with ants, which may tend the caterpillars in exchange for sugary secretions.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- Common Blue Caterpillar
- Common Blue Chrysalis
- Common Blue