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

Small blue

Cupido minimus

Small blue is Norway’s smallest butterfly species, with a wingspan of only 18–25 mm. It lives in dry, calcareous areas in the cultural landscape and in the highlands, and flies from May to August.

Status in this countryCommon in NorwayLC (Least concern)
Small blue

Flight period

Primarily flies from May to August. In lowland areas in the far south, it is not uncommon to observe two generations per season.

Habitat

In the lowlands in the south, particularly on dry, calcareous soils with short vegetation in cultivated landscapes and other open areas, and in wide-open areas in the mountain region.

Identifying features

Wingspan 18–25 mm. The wing uppersides are brown, with a blue shimmer in the male. The grey wing undersides have an irregular row of black spots.

Similar species

Only one significant confusion possibility in Norway: small females of Mazarine blue (Cyaniris semiargus). The differences are subtle, and experience is needed (publication).

Distribution

Local occurrences over a large part of Norway, sometimes abundant in certain locations. Center of findings from the south of Eastern Norway and into Sør-Trøndelag. Presence both in low-lying areas and above 1,000 metres above sea level in Jotunheimen. Approximately 1,600 finds.

Biology

The host plant is kidney vetch, but some observations suggest that bird’s-foot trefoil may also occasionally be used in Norway. It overwinters as a fully grown larva.