| Common blue | |
|---|---|
_male_3.JPG) |
|
| Male | |
_female.jpg) |
|
| Female both in Oxfordshire |
|
Scientific classification |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Genus: | Polyommatus |
| Species: |
P. icarus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Polyommatus icarus
(Rottemburg, 1775)
|
|
The common blue butterfly or European common blue[2] (Polyommatus icarus) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae and subfamily Polyommatinae. The butterfly is found throughout the Palearctic. Butterflies in the Polyommatinae are collectively called blues, from the coloring of the wings. Common blue males usually have wings that are blue above with a black-brown border and a white fringe. The females are usually brown above with a blue dusting and orange spots.[3]