Friday, 3 September, 2010 homebutterfliesmothseventspressrecordingprojectsreservemembershipmagazinedownloadaboutcontactlinks Butterflies of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Brown Argus Aricia agestis The brown Argus and female Common Blue are very similar in appearance. The Brown Argus lacks the two extra spots on the underside of the forewing which are present on the Common Blue. Flying low to the ground, the Brown Argus has a silvery appearance, frequently stopping to perch or feed on flowers. The Brown Argus has chocolate brown wings with orange spots near the edge and fringed with white. There is a black spot in the centre of the upper wing. The undersides of the wings are grey/brown with white ringed black spots and orange markings. The males and females are similar although the sexes can be distinguished by the orange spots. These spots clearly extend to the leading edge of the forewing in the males, while in the females, the spots are very pale or absent at this point. Brown Argus butterflies will often roost communally in sheltered areas although this species is rarely seen in large numbers... usually only one or two individuals are encountered at a site at any one time. Larval Food plants Dove's-foot Crane's-bill (Geranium molle) Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium) The Brown Argus larvae may also feed on Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), Meadow Crane's-bill (Geranium pratense), and Hedgerow Crane's-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum). Habitat Requirements In Warwickshire, the Brown Argus occurs in small numbers on a range of habitats including woodland clearings, heath land, disused railway lines, road verges, and set-aside fields. Warwickshire Status Resident Where to see the Brown Argus Ashlawn Cutting (WWT Reserve) Other Species Please select an alternative species from the list below. Bath White Black Hairstreak Black-veined White Brimstone Brown Argus Brown Hairstreak Camberwell Beauty Chalkhill Blue Chequered Skipper Clouded Yellow Comma Common Blue Dappled White Dark Green Fritillary Dingy Skipper Duke of Burgundy Essex Skipper Gatekeeper Geranium Bronze Green Hairstreak Green-veined White Grizzled Skipper High Brown Fritillary Holly Blue Large Skipper Large Tortoiseshell Large White Long-tailed Blue Map Marbled White Marsh Fritillary Mazarine Blue Meadow Brown Orange-tip Painted Lady Pale Clouded Yellow Peacock Pearl-bordered Fritillary Purple Emperor Purple Hairstreak Red Admiral Ringlet Silver-studded Blue Silver-washed Fritillary Small Blue Small Copper Small Heath Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Swallowtail Wall Brown White Admiral White-letter Hairstreak Wood White © Steven Cheshire First Sightings First sighting dates are based on records of Brown Argus submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms. 17/05/2010 - Baddesley Ensor 11/05/2009 - Snitterfield Bushes 22/05/2008 - Ufton Fields 02/05/2007 - Ryton Wood Meadow Reserve © Debbie Cheshire - Male - Ryton Wood Meadows BC Reserve, Warwickshire   © Steven Cheshire - Female - Fermyn Wood, Northamptonshire Adult Flight Times The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Brown Argus in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull Distribution of the Brown Argus during the indicated period. Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings 12-910+       2007 Distribution Data (1yr)   2008 available soon   2009 Distribution Data (1yr)   2000-09 Distribution Data (10yr) Regional Distribution of the Brown Argus Regional Distribution Map This map provides a regional overview of the distribution of the Brown Argus in the counties of Birmingham and Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Key to West Midlands Maps: Present 1995-2007 Present prior to 1995 The West Midlands Region © Butterfly Conservation WarwickshirePrivacy and Copyright Statement Butterfly Conservation is a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)   Web site designed and maintained by Steven Cheshire