BROWN ARGUS
This butterfly has a wingspan of 22 to 28mm and has a dark brown colour on the upper wings in both sexes. There is a black spot on each forward wing, which is more pronounced on the male butterfly. There are orangey red spots on the outer margins of the wings. The undersides are greyish brown with orange spots towards the outer edge and numerous white ringed, black spots dotted around. The underwings are bordered in white with a thin black line.
The brown argus is a fan of chalky hillsides with grasses, although the larvae feed on rock roses, and geranium species like cranesbill and common storksbill. This butterfly can also be found on heaths, dunes and cliffs. The caterpillars are slug-like, green with a pale line along each side and they are always attended to by ants. They hibernate as fully grown larvae and pupate the following Spring. There are usually 2 broods a year.
