Common blue - Argus bleu - Polyommatus icarus (3)

MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY of the Common blue butterfly !

Source of decline:
Previously, P. icarus was a very common species that occupied Europe and Asia, and was one of the most widely distributed butterflies in Britain. They are known to be tolerant of many habitats, including a wide range of grassland habitats. There has been an estimated 96% loss of the butterfly population, which could be due to the fact that 46% of the total land area it occupies has been lost since 1901. Host plant decline has also contributed to the loss of P.icarus population. The host plant L. corniculatus that provided habitat for P. icarus has lost 46% of the total area. This host plant is a favored plant for two reasons: it provides adult nutrition, as well as food for the larvae after it hatches.