# Silver-studded Blue (*Plebejus argus*) The Silver-studded Blue is a small butterfly with beautiful blue wings and tiny silver dots. They love to flit around flowers and are often found in sunny spots. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Silver-studded Blue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plebeius.argus.2843-1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Olei, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plebeius.argus.2843-1.jpg) ## Appearance The Silver-studded Blue is a small butterfly with males displaying vibrant sky-blue wings, while females are brown with orange spots and a subtle blue wash. Both sexes feature a distinctive row of metallic 'silver studs' along the edges of their hindwings, making them unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lycaenidae - **Genus:** Plebejus ## Interesting facts - Adult butterflies have taste buds on their feet to find the sweetest flower nectar. - Males display bright blue wings when flying, but often hide them when resting to camouflage. - Some female butterflies lay eggs that perfectly mimic plant seeds to hide them from hungry birds. - Their caterpillars actually 'talk' to ants using tiny vibrations and chemical signals! ## Special abilities - **Ant Bodyguards:** Silver-studded Blue larvae can secrete a sweet liquid that attracts and rewards ants, protecting them from predators. - **Solar Powered Flight:** Silver-studded Blue butterflies have specialized dark scales that help them absorb sunlight efficiently, warming them for flight. - **Scented Signals:** Silver-studded Blue males have tiny scales that release a special perfume to attract females from a distance. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 10-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on leaves and flowers of host plants, while adults primarily consume nectar from various wildflowers. - **Primary Foods:** Lotus corniculatus, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Thymus polytrichus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Bird's-foot Trefoil (*Lotus corniculatus*) — A primary larval food plant. - **Eaten by:** [Common Heather](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-heather) (*Calluna vulgaris*) — Another significant host plant for caterpillars. - **Symbiotic with:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Lasius niger*) — Ants protect larvae for their sugary secretions. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common bird predator of adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Silver-studded Blue? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Silver-studded Blue's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Silver-studded Blue? 10-14 mm ### How long does Silver-studded Blue live? 14-21 days ### What does Silver-studded Blue eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on plants. ### Where is Silver-studded Blue usually found? Grasslands ### How does Silver-studded Blue hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Silver-studded Blue have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Doñana National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/do-ana-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Silver-studded Blue: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-studded-blue)