Butterfly ID
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Field guide · Denmark
Blues, coppers and hairstreaks · Denmark

Silver-studded blue

Plebejus argus

Silver-studded blue is relatively rare in Denmark. Wing span: 20-30 mm. The flight period is from mid-June to mid-August. Heathlands, dunes, and dry grasslands with short vegetation and warm microclimates.

Status in this countryRelatively rare in DenmarkNT (Near threatened)
Silver-studded blue

Flight period

The flight period is from mid-June to mid-August.

Habitat

Heathland, dunes, and dry grasslands with sparse vegetation and warm microclimates.

Identifying features

Wing span: 20-30 mm. The male’s upper side is sky blue, with broad, dark, indistinct/shadow-like markings (edges/wing margins) – which are often diffuse and blend with the rest of the wing – and frequently with ribs (inward lines), which can reach approximately

Similar species

The species is often confused with Idas blue, so it is important to be able to distinguish between them before entering one instead of the other. Silver-studded blue resembles Idas blue extremely closely.

Distribution

In Denmark silver-studded blue is mainly a coastal species, but over the years it has gained more inland sites. It has never been common.

Biology

The larvae live in Denmark primarily on common heather and are assigned to cross-leaved heath. Rarely, different types of Vicia flowers (rockrose) or other, are also used, but this is not definitively known from Denmark.