The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Butterflies - The Common Blue

First seen on Saturday 11th July 2020 at Druridge Pools

The Common Blue butterfly can be found at on the coast in the summer months (June-August). It can be found in the dunes, usually in the grasses and nettles. The Common Blue is one of the smaller species of butterfly, and best spotted when they are in flight. Obviously the shimmering blue colour is the thing to look out for, but the blue is not always so obvious as you'd think, as it will be mixed with the pale brown under-wing when in flight.

The Common Blue is one of several butterflies to have an under-wing pattern as pretty, if not prettier than the upper wing. These patterns are the best way to distinguish different blue butterfly species, as although they look random, each species has a unique pattern. Confusingly, the female Common Blue is actually not so much blue, as brown, although she can have varying amounts of blue 'shimmer'.