13th July 2025 - in amongst the good numbers of Gatekeeper and Common Blue butterflies in the wild flower meadows of Granta Park, Andy and Polly M found a few of this little gem - a Small Blue butterfly. In the past, this species has been confined to the southern coast of England, but has been progressively spreading north, being seen occasionally along the Roman Road, and on Trumpington Meadows in the past few years - and now locally on Granta Park.
This tiny butterfly is one of the smallest in Europe with a wingspan of just 10mm. The upper side is dark brown with a pale edge, the males having just a hint of blue near the body, and with underside is a pale blue with black dots (similar to the much larger Holly Blue). Photographed here on Kidney Vetch, with which it is often associated and is the host plant for its caterpillars.
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