This medium-sized (38-40mm) is a fairly frequent migrant to the UK and can be found at suitable sites along the south coast in reasonable numbers.
Mature males can be identified by the blue underside to
the eye and red veining on the forewing. In flight they are
quick and unpredictable, with short bursts of speed as they
navigate around bankside reeds and rushes.
Females
usually oviposit in tandem with the males, choosing emergent
stems.
During 2012 and 2015 the New Forest had an influx in late May
which went on to breed and produce fair numbers of offspring the following August.
Both male and female offspring were present in large numbers
and curiously did not reach their mature colours, remaining
the bright lemon colour of tenerals.
It is assumed that
these tenerals emigrate back to the near continent. There is
currently no. proof that they have established repeated
breeding colonies here, although some sites are reliable from
year to year.
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