Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae

07163 Common Blue Polyommatus icarus, (Rottemburg, 1775)

BF1574 (ABH61.018)

Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2008, male.
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2008, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2008, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Chepelare valley, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 17th June 2013.
Chepelare valley, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 17th June 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Petrovo, SW Bulgaria, 1st July 2008, male.
Petrovo, SW Bulgaria, 1st July 2008, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2011. Male.
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2011. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 13th July 2014. Female.
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 13th July 2014. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012. andronicus male?
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012. andronicus male?
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General InformationOverwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Wingspan: 29-36mm
Foodplant(s): Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)
Flying: Two/three generations, May-late June, July-September and October
UK Presence: Resident
National status:

Habitat

Sunny, sheltered grassland, road verges and woodland clearings.

Regional Information

Recorded in 196 (10.3%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 04 May to 12 August

Recorded date range (Pupa): 07 July to 07 July

Similar Species
Struma valley, SW Bulgaria. 2nd June 2019. Female.
Struma valley, SW Bulgaria. 2nd June 2019. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
Dobrostan, Western rhodopi Mtns., 19th June 2010. Male.
Dobrostan, Western rhodopi Mtns., 19th June 2010. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Brown Argus Aricia agestis
Slavyanka Mtn. foothills, 1st July 2008, male clearly showing androconial patch.
Slavyanka Mtn. foothills, 1st July 2008, male clearly showing androconial patch.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Chapman's Blue Polyommatus thersites
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 8th July 2016.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 8th July 2016.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Chalkhill Blue Polyommatus coridon (=Lysandra)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Green