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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
One of the most difficult butterflies to distinguish from the Common Blue the Brown Argus lacks the two extra spots on the underside of the forewing which are present on the Common Blue. As they fly low to the ground they have 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 which extend around the edges of the upper wings wher in males they clearly extend to the leading edge of the forewing 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 it is rarely seen in large numbers... usually only one or two individuals are encountered at any one site.
The larvae are green with a red/pink strip down each side. There is a close relationship with ants.
The Brown Argus is a close relative of the Northern Brown Argus which is restricted to Scotland and northern England.
Habitat
The Brown Argus is commonly found on chalk and limestone grassland but it also occurs in small numbers on a range of other habitats including sand dunes woodland clearings heath land disused railway lines, road verges, and set-aside fields.
Larval Food Plants
On calcareous grassland Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium) is the primary larval food plant.
In other habitats it uses Dove's-foot Crane's-bill (Geranium molle) and Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium).
It is also possible that the Brown Argus feeds on Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum) Meadow Crane's-bill (Geranium pratense) and Hedgerow Crane's-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum). |
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 45 photographs of the Brown Argus in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB1872 - Brown Argus
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BB1695 - Brown Argus
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BB1694 - Brown Argus
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BB1693 - Brown Argus
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BB1692 - Brown Argus
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BB1691 - Brown Argus
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BB1690 - Brown Argus
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BB1689 - Brown Argus
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| Distribution |
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| The Brown Argus occurs throughout Southern England Norfolk the South coast of Wales through the midlands into Lincolnshire. It is however absent from Cornwall Devon and parts of Dorset. |
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| Where to see the Brown Argus |
Cambridgeshire: Fleam Dyke and Devil's Dyke
Dorset: Fontmell Down |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Brown Argus is a resident species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  down by -61% |
(1976-2004)  up by 16% |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not listed (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 least concern4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Brown Argus can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 16 named aberrant forms of the Brown Argus. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. albicans - Aurivillius (1888) |
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| ab. albisignata - Tutt (1912) |
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| ab. albolimbata - Lempke (1955) |
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| ab. deleta - Cockerell (1889) |
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| ab. discreta - Tutt (1912) |
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| ab. elongata - Courvoisier (1910) |
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| ab. impunctata - Oberthür (1910) |
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| ab. lilliputana - Oberthür (1916) |
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| ab. nigropunctata - Tutt (1912) |
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| ab. obsoleta - Tutt (1912) |
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| ab. pallidior - Oberthür (1910) |
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| ab. retrojuncta - Lempke (1955) |
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| ab. semi-allous - Harrison (1906) |
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| ab. snelleni - ter Haar (1900) |
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| ab. subtus-radiata - Oberthür (1896) |
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| ab. unicolor - Lempke (1955) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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25-31mm
