Holly Blue

Celastrina argiolus

Common throughout Britain.

Larva green or brown, marked with yellowish white, bearing catenulate (chain-like) stripes on the back, on segment 7 a gland to attract ants; head brown.

In the Spring the Larvae feed on Holly & Autumn it feeds on Ivy.

Male above shining violet blue, only the apical portion of the costal margin being minutely edged with white.

Female has both wings broadly bordered with dark, the margin of the hindwing bearing vestiges of ocelli.

Underside silver-white, in the disc a row of black dots, some of which are elongate, and before the margin blackish shadowy dots. 

Flight period is April-June & July-September.