Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus

A frequent visitor to gardens, the caterpillars feeding on Ivy and Holly and a variety of other shrubs including Dogwoods. On the wing from April to September, usually with a gap in June, the black outer corners of the female’s forewings are quite distinctive. Both sexes have very pale underwings with fine black spots, unlike most other Blues

Images L-R: female - the male lacks the very dark outer margins of the wings; underside; caterpillar feeding on ivy bud

Flight Period: March - September in two broods