The Brown Argus looks similar to the female Common Blue but it lacks the forewing spot and generally has brighter orange markings on the upperside. It is also a richer brown and has more rounded wings than the Mountain Argus, which occurs on higher ground and in more northerly areas. In my experience it is much more local in Britain than it is on the continent, where it can be one of the commonest Lycaenidae species. It is however a small and inconspicuous species which prefers to fly low down. Individuals found in the southern part of its range often have more prominent orange upperside spots.
Distribution: Most of Europe, excluding Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland and most of Iberia.
Flight Period: May-September in 1 or 2 broods.
Habitat: Dry flowery areas, dry woodland clearings, meadows, scrub at a variety of altitudes.
Foodplants: Primarily Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium) but also Stork’s Bill (Erodium cicutarium) and possibly other Geranium species.
Nectar Sources: Thymes (Thymus), hawkweeds (Hieracium), clovers (Trifolium), bird’s-foot trefoils (Lotus), speedwells (Veronica) and lavenders (Lavandula), among others.
-
- Brown Argus, Apuseni Mts, Romania, May 2019
-
- Brown Argus, Apuseni Mts, Romania, May 2019
-
- Brown Argus, Paklenica, Croatia, July 2018
-
- Not a great picture, but the plant with the oblong leaves in the centre and the top left are the foodplant Rockrose, Helianthemum nummularium. I saw a female oviposit on these laves just before the picture was taken.
