COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY

THIS BUTTERFLY WAS IN THE GARDEN EARLY THIS MORNING IT IS CALLED THE "COMMON BLUE".  IT IS A MALE AS THE FEMALE IS BROWN.  IT IS A VERY SMALL BUTTERFLY (WINGSPAN 35MM) AND IS RESTING ON A BRAMBLE LEAF.

THE BRIGHT BLUE COLOUR IS PRODUCED BY THE DIFFRACTION OF SUNLIGHT BY THOUSANDS OF CORRUGATED SCALES ON THE WINGS WHCH ABSORB ALL COLOURS OF THE SPECTRUM EXCEPT BLUE.  THE WINGS CONTAIN NO BLUE PIGMENT.

THE FEMALE LAYS EGGS SINGLY ON CLOVER AND VETCH AND THE LARVAE PUPATE AT THE BASE OF THE FOOD PLANT.