Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus
The first blue we'd like to introduce to you is the Holly Blue. It is quite numerous in our garden. This is a small species, reaching a wingspan of no more than 30 mm. It is a very common species all over Europe, including the British Isles, except for Scandinavia and the northern parts of Scotland. The caterpillar is keen on Holly and Ivy. The caterpillar excretes a sweet substance, which attract ants. They protect the larva, much the same way they protect aphids. The butterfly appears wherever the foodplants are, even in the centre of big cities, parks, graveyards and gardens. Usually flies in two broods from May to September.
