Chalk Hill Blue
Polyommatus coridon
This record describes Polyommatus coridon (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The sexes are strongly dimorphic; the males being a pale sky blue, and the females being a chocolate brown. Chalk and limestone grassland. This species lives in discrete colonies where its foodplant, Horseshoe Vetch, is found in abundance. It is also a warmth-loving butterfly, and is typically found on sheltered, south-facing hillsides. The primary larval foodplant is Horseshoe Vetch. The distribution of this species follows the distribution of Horseshoe Vetch which, in turn, follows the distribution of chalk and limestone grassland. This species is therefore restricted to England, south east of a line running from West Gloucestershire in the west and Cambridgeshire in the east. This species is absent from most of central England, northern England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Lycaenidae
- Genus
- Polyommatus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Chalk and limestone grassland. This species lives in discrete colonies where its foodplant, Horseshoe Vetch, is found in abundance. It is also a warmth-loving butterfly, and is typically found on sheltered, south-facing hillsides.
Seasonal Activity
Mainly from July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The primary larval foodplant is Horseshoe Vetch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The distribution of this species follows the distribution of Horseshoe Vetch which, in turn, follows the distribution of chalk and limestone grassland. This species is therefore restricted to England, south east of a line running from West Gloucestershire in the west and Cambridgeshire in the east. This species is absent from most of central England, northern England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Polyommatus coridon. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Chalk Hill Blue (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Chalk Hill Blue
What is Chalk Hill Blue?
Chalk Hill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Chalk Hill Blue found?
Habitat: Chalk and limestone grassland. This species lives in discrete colonies where its foodplant, Horseshoe Vetch, is found in abundance. It is also a warmth-loving butterfly, and is typically found on sheltered, south-facing hillsides.
When is Chalk Hill Blue active?
Chalk Hill Blue: seasonal activity - Mainly from July to September..
What is the life cycle of a Chalk Hill Blue?
The primary larval foodplant is Horseshoe Vetch.