Holly Blue
Celastrina argiolus
| Home | The Butterflies of Gloucestershire | Species | Habitats | Conservation |
Holly BlueCelastrina argiolus |
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| Female, 20 May 1990 | Male, 4 September 1977 |
Habitat
Holly blues may be seen almost anywhere. Eggs are laid on flowers or buds
of various shrubs, particularly Holly by the spring generation of adults
and Ivy by the summer generation. Hedgerows and woods provide suitable
habitat, as do many gardens.
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Conservation Issues
As the Holly Blue population builds up to a peak over several years, so
too does the population of a parasite which eventually
causes a crash in the populations of both. The cycle then repeats.
This effect is very noticeable. In some years Holly Blue is one of the commonest species recorded, but after a population crash there are very few records of the species.
With both holly and ivy being grown as garden plants, there is plenty of habitat for the species in towns in addition to the open countryside.
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Flight PeriodApril and May for the spring generation (with some seen in March after mild winters). July to late August for the summer generation, and perhaps a partial third generation in late September or October.
DistributionThroughout the area
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