Northern Brown Argus
Aricia artaxerxesThe Northern Brown Argus is a small, fast-moving butterfly that flashes silvery as it skims low over flower-rich grasslands. Their brown wings often show a subtle blue sheen, and they are most active in warm conditions. Though similar to the Brown Argus, their distinct spot patterns can help to identify them. Females carefully choose egg-laying sites, even testing plants for nutrients with their feet. They favour lightly grazed grasslands, dunes and quarries, and can be considered a rare and special sight.
A flash of silver amongst flowery grasslands
Despite its brown and blue-sheened upperwings, the Northern Brown Argus appears like a streak of silver as it flashes its underwing whilst flying low to the ground in sheltered flowery grasslands.
Both males and females love the warm and are very active when the temperature is right, flitting about from flower to flower.
The Northern Brown Argus’s appearance is very similar to the Brown Argus, but one way to try telling them apart is by the spots on the Northern Brown Argus’s upperwings. In Scotland, these spots are white, making them stand out from the Brown Argus. However, things get tricky in England where their spots are black – like the Brown Argus’s. It gets even more confusing in mainland Europe where many sub-species of Northern Brown Argus have been identified through the patterns on their wings!
Interestingly, females are known to select plants which are rich in nitrogen to lay their eggs upon, and they’re even able to test this with their feet.
Despite its name, the Northern Brown Argus is in the blues family and, like other blue butterflies, as caterpillars they can produce honey to attract ants in return for protection. They also love to stick together. The Northern Brown Argus often roosts in a group.
True to its name, it makes its home in Scotland and northern England, amongst ungrazed or lightly grazed grassland, coastal dunes and quarries. These butterflies are rare, so you’re in luck if you spot one.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Northern Brown Argus special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
Female Northern Brown Arguses test plants with their feet to find the best place to lay their eggs.
Test your knowledge
How can you tell a Northern Brown Argus apart from a Brown Argus?Northern Brown Argus can be identified by their wing spot patterns, which differ between regions and from similar species.
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