English name:
Common Blue
Full scientific name:
Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775)
Croatian name:
Obični plavac
Flight Period and Life Cycle
3-4 broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
The entire territory. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
Below are described basic characteristics.
(1) In males, the upper side of wings is blue. In females, the upper side of the wings is very variable. It is usually dark brown with a more or less blue tint.
(2) The white margin is continuous and has no dark fringing. In females, the margin can sometimes be a little darker.
(3) In females, there are series of orange spots on the upper side. They are more prominent on the hindwing.
(4) Most individuals have cell spot on the forewing. If missing check below chapter. This could be Polyommatus icarus too but in the form named icarinus.
(5) Black spots in zones S5, S6 and S7 are placed on a bit slightly curved imaginary line.
(6) In females, the underside of the wings is more brownish. White area between zones S3 and S4 is more prominent in females.
(7) Underside’s orange spots are more prominent in females. This is more clear on the forewing.
(8) Bluish tint is more prominent in the basal zone.
(9) On the underside of the wings, between margin and submargin there is a well defined dark line.
Polyommatus icarus form icarinus
Below are photos of Polyommatus icarus form icarinus. A missing cell dark spot on the underside of the forewing is distinctive. This form is more common in the coastal territory. It is similar to Polyommatus thersites and Polyommatus escheri. The comparison is here.
Behavior
Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family legume (Fabaceae).
Habitat
Gardens, flower meadows along the edges of the woodland and bushes. Elevations: 0-1600m.
Gallery
