Lycaenids (Blues, Hairstreaks & Coppers)

This widespread European species is described on the Butterflies of Britain- Blues section of the site.

One of a number of widespread European lycaenids maddeningly absent from Britain, the Sooty Copper has conspicuously dark upperwings.  The superficially-similar Purple-shot Copper has much more diffuse black spots on its upperwings and the Purple-edged Copper is much more orange than the Sooty Copper.

Despite its common name, the Scarce Copper is a very widespread European species.It is very brightly-coloured, with the male upperwings being an intense, metallic golden-orange.  Males have largely unmarked upperwings, while females have the usual lycaenid pattern of spots.

In Spain, the Scarce Copper has a largely northern distribution and is absent from the southern half of the country.

These could be female Scarce Coppers. Pending ID.

This widspread species can be seen across the Iberian Peninsula.  It is described in more detail in the Butterflies of France - part 1 section of the site.

Despite being found over most of central and southern Europe, the Sloe Hairstreak has a restricted distribution in Spain, being found primarily in the north, with a disjunct population in Andalucia.

As a species, it can be identified by its weak white 'hairstreak' markings on the greyish underwings and the typical metallic spot being dark grey.  The Ilex Hairstreak is quite similar but is more brown underneath and the white markings are straighter and more connected in general.

This butterfly has a very widespread distribution across southern Europe and often ventures further north on migration. It is one of a few continental species to have appeared in Britain in favourable summers, but remains an exotic and exciting animal there.

The Long-tailed Blue is not the only Blue to have tails, but has a very distinctive underwing pattern with a broad wihite band and two prominent blac spots near the tail.  In Spain, Lang's Short-tailed Blue also occurs, but has a much more broken-up underwing pattern and shorter tails, so is unlikely to be confused with this species.

I encountered this female depositing her eggs on an ivy plant in August.  It's the only time I've seen the Holly Blue ovipositing, despite them living around my garden in England.

The Holly Blue can be seen across Spain, and is described in more detail in the Butterflies of Britain- Blues section of the site.

Although a very restricted speciesin Britain, the Silver-studded Blue is much more easy to see in Europe and can be found across Spain.

It is described in more detail in the Butterflies of Britain- Blues section of the site.

This species is described in the Butterflies of France - part 1 section of the site.

A segregate of the widespread Brown Argus, this species replaces it south of the Pyrenees.  It can only be distinguished by range (A.agestis) is considered as not occurring on the Iberian Peninsula, and is reportedly smaller than the Brown Argus.

One of a number of very similar Blues in Spain and Europe, the Turquoise Blue is named for the sheen on the upperwings, but is better distinguished by the black veins which extend inwards from the border on the upperwings and by the underwing pattern of broad white borders and an overall pale brownish-grey tone.

In Spain, this species only occurs in the northern half of the country, but is absent from the Atlantic northwest.

When someone like me visits the European mountains, it can be an anticlimax when one comes across a blue butterfly, only to find it is the Common Blue.  I hesitate to say this, because the destruction of habitat continues to hasten this lovely butterfly's decline in my home country, but in Europe where there are so many 'exotic' species to come across, P.icarus can be a little frustrating!

The Common Blue lives up to its name in Spain, and can be seen across the country.

One of my favourite butterflies, the Adonis Blue can be seen across Spain and also much of Europe, apart from the far north.

I've described it in more detail in the Butterflies of Britain - Blues section of the site.

This widespread species is restricted to the far north in Spain (further south it is replaced by the Spanish Chalkhill Blue) - for differences, see below.

P.coridon is described in more detail in the Butterflies of Britain - Blues section of the site.
 

As the scientific name alludes to, this butterfly is very white when compared to the 'standard' Chalkhill Blue, especially on the upperwings, which are more silver than blue, although the underwings are also much more pale.

One of the treasures of the Spanish mountains, the Gavarnie Blue is endemic to the Pyrenees and Cordillera Cantabrica.  It is a diminutive and rather plain butterfly, but its rarity more than makes up for its somewhat drab appearance.

The underwings allow for easy identification, as they are almost unmarked, save for a few white splashes on the hindwing and a very reduced orange spot.

This lovely species is almost endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, extending slightly across the Pyrenees into France.  Unlike the Brown Argu complex of species, this butterfly is easy to identify, as the the black forewing spot has a bold white ring around it, which can extend into a streak in some individuals.

This is a mountain butterfly, and be seen across much of northern Spain, as well as some ranges in the southeast.