Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Sunday, 10 February 2013

HOLLY BLUE BUTTERFLY (Celastrina argiolus) male, Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland


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The Holly Blue Butterfly (Celastrina argiolus) is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenids which is in the genus Celastrina. It is a widespread species and occurs in North America as well as Eurasia but is absent from the colder northern parts of this range. Up to 14 subspecies are generally recognised. There are two generations and it is one of the earliest blue butterflies to be seen, emerging in late spring. Later in the season, it can be confused with similar coloured species but it has very distinctive black speckling on its under wing.  
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds