Cupido Minimus

This morning I set off for Blackcap hoping to find Wall Brown or the Small Blue - the smallest butterfly in Britain (its wingspan is about 20mm). On the way up the slopes were dominated by Adonis Blue but no Wall or Small. Then, in the valley on the south side I found my 23rd species of the year - the Brown Argus (the second smallest butterfly) busy bullying the Common Blues. On the return journey the first of several Small Blues finally appeared - 24th species. All the ones I saw were female, they have no blue scales on their upperwings being charcoal grey with a white fringe. The undersides are pale grey- blue with small black dots, similar to Holly Blue. In France this tiny butterfly is known as L'Argus frêle - the Fragile Argus.