Silver Studded Blue Butterflies Prees Heath 210713

Silver Studded Blue Butterflies
Prees Heath BC Nature Reserve
Shropshire 210713
ENDANGERED SPECIES
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So named due to the silvery blue metallic spots on the underside hind wings. The upper side are a deep indescent blue in the males with black border and the female are brown with orange spots on the edges. On some sites the females have blue colouration but never as blue as the males. 

They are an endangered species. Their favourite habitant is heathlands and heather. 

Eggs are laid on the ground or near ant nests and pass through the winter hatching in the spring March April. June July in Shropshire.

The larvae have a close relationship with the ants and the butterflies produce a honeydew like liquid to feed them.  The black ants in turn help to protect the butterflies from predators. Pupation takes near and often inside ant nests where continue to discrete honeydew until the butterfly emerges.