Butterflies on Granta Park

16th May 2026 - there were a few butterflies starting to appear when Andy M walked through the meadows on Granta Park, in particular the first reports of the season for Common Blue and Brown Argus butterflies. Green-veined White were also seen.

Male Common Blue butterflies have a characteristic bright blue upperside, with narrow black and white borders. Females have brown uppersides, often with a tinge of blue around the body, with a row of orange spots. Both Brown Argus sexes are similar, having brown uppersides with orange dots, but lacking the narrow white border outside the orange spots - a feature that can be hard to see. The undersides are more useful for identification, with Common Blue butterflies having a single 'cell spot' on the upper underwing, which Brown Argus lack.

Common Blue male

Common Blue male underside - note the single lower 'cell spot'

on the forewing nearest the body

Brown Argus male - very similar to Common Blue female

Brown Argus male - note the lack of the 'cell spot' on the underside of the forewing

Brown Argus male

Green-veined White