The second blue butterfly ("Another blue butterfly") is readily identifiable as a second generation female Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus. Interestingly the first generation tend to feed mostly on Holly (Ilex aquilifolium) but the second (late summer) generation focuses on Ivy (Hedera helix); all very Christmassy - except that Holly Blues are pretty scarce then.
...and the beer was good!
ReplyDeleteThe second blue butterfly ("Another blue butterfly") is readily identifiable as a second generation female Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus. Interestingly the first generation tend to feed mostly on Holly (Ilex aquilifolium) but the second (late summer) generation focuses on Ivy (Hedera helix); all very Christmassy - except that Holly Blues are pretty scarce then.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I had no idea Holly was a butterfly!!! That's a cool ecological anecdote Dad!
ReplyDelete