Cupido argiades SHORT-TAILED BLUE

Description

Taxonomy Identification: Family Lycaenidae. First named by Pallas in 1771

Colour: Sexually dimorphic. The male topside wings are violet with a brown-black edging. The hind-wings terminate with black spots, sometimes with a white edging. The tail is black with a white tip. The underside (recto) greyish-brown, with tiny rows of black fleck and orange spotted border.  The female topside is a dark grey-blue, with white outer border. The undersides of the wings are like those of the male but with more stark markings.

Size: Wingspan 24-35 mm

Comments & Applications:  The Short-tailed Blue is one of the rarest immigrants to the British Isles with only 17 records in total up to 1945. Widespread and often common in Europe its distribution stretching into central Asia and Japan. This butterfly has thin very short “tails” on the hind-wings hence its common name the Short Tailed blue. A scarce species, rarely offered for sale.

Our unique selection of British and European butterflies is a perfect stepping stone into building your own cabinet reference collection. Also useful in education and taxonomy. An ideal subject for closeup photography, film, media, artistry, interior design, craft frames and dome applications.

Our British and European butterflies are all ethically sourced, they originate from either captive bred stock, or old antique collections. Butterfly collecting within this ethical boundary is perfectly sustainable and in no way harms wild populations. Why not start your own butterfly reference collection today for posterity.

Format: Supplied SET, wings spread, mounted on a pin, cabinet ready with locational data

More Information: External link