Silver-studded blue  (Plebeius argus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

The silver-studded blue is widespread in temperate areas of Europe and Asia (3), but underwent a severe decline in Great Britain during the twentieth century (2). It has become extinct in most northern and central areas, parts of Wales and the North Downs. It is now largely restricted to heathland in Dorset and Hampshire (2), with a few populations in Wales, Suffolk, Norfolk Cornwall and Shropshire (5).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Found in lowland heathland, chalk grasslands, and some sand dunes. In all three habitats, the species needs short vegetation and ants of the genus Lasius (2). A supply of the main larval foodplants is also essential. These include a wide range of plants, the more common being heather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath and gorses on heathland, as well as common bird's foot trefoil, common rock-rose and horseshoe vetch on calcareous sites (3).

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