Common Blue Butterfly (larva/egg stage)
Scientific Name: Polyommatus icarus
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae
Size: Eggs are about 0.5mm; larvae grow up to 13mm.
Natural Habitat
Grasslands, meadows, and flowery banks, typically where vetches and clover are present.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae primarily feed on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Black Medick, and various clovers.
Behavior Patterns
The larvae have a symbiotic relationship with ants, secreting a honeydew-like substance that ants consume in exchange for protection from predators.
Risks & Benefits
Provides ecosystem benefits as a pollinator in its adult stage and serves as a food source for birds and spiders.
Identified on: 6/3/2026