The common blue butterfly or European common blue is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae and subfamily Polyommatinae. The butterfly is found throughout the Palearctic and has been introduced to North America. Butterflies in the Polyommatinae are collectively called blues, from the coloring of the wings. Common blue males usually have wings that are blue above with a black-brown border and a white fringe. The females are usually brown above with a blue dusting and orange spots.
Image: Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) male 3
Image: Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) female
Mating in Buckinghamshire male left; female right
female P. i. mariscolore, County Clare, Ireland
Lycaenidae is the second-largest family of butterflies, with over 6,000 species worldwide, whose members are also called gossamer-winged butterflies. They constitute about 30% of the known butterfly species.
Lycaenidae
Brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
Loxura atymnus
Mating Cyaniris semiargus