Brown Argus Aricia agestis

Male - orange spots don't reach leading edge of forewing.
Male - orange spots don't reach leading edge of forewing.
Female - orange spots reach leading edge of forewing.
Female - orange spots reach leading edge of forewing.
Brown Argus underside.
Brown Argus underside.
Female Common Blue underside. Note the extra forewing spot close to the body and also the smooth
Female Common Blue underside. Note the extra forewing spot close to the body and also the smooth "C-for Common"-shaped arc of black spots on the hindwing which has an ugly break in it in the Brown Argus.
An extremely dark individual to add to the confusion, but the spots underneath confirmed it as a Brown Argus.
An extremely dark individual to add to the confusion, but the spots underneath confirmed it as a Brown Argus.
Occasionally there may be white spots on the forewings
Occasionally there may be white spots on the forewings
Egg.
Egg.
 
Information

Red List status: Least Concern
NERC Act S41: Not listed
Local status: Locally common. Colonies exist all over the county.
Size: Small.
Larval foodplant: Common Rock-rose and various Crane's-bills
No. of broods: Two
Flight time(s): Early May to late June. Mid July to late September.
Average first date: 9th May
Average last date: 27th September
Winter: Fully-grown larva hibernates then pupates in the spring.
Habits: Sometimes roost communally on grasses. The feeding larvae are attended by ants.
Habitats: Brown-field sites, downland, unimproved grassland, heathland, road verges, track edges, woodland rides.
Distribution: