Butterflies

Skippers

Whites

Hairstreaks

Blues and Coppers

Admirals

Vannesids

Fritillaries

Browns

wingspan 20 25mm

Year	First	Second
1976	nr*
1977	nr*
1978	June 9 fack	Fackenden
1979	nr*
1980	May 30 fack	Fackenden
1981	Jun 13 fack	Fackenden
1982	Jun 2 fack	Fackenden
1983	nr*
1984	nr*
1985	Jul 4th fack	Fackenden
1986	Ju 23 fack	Fackenden
1987	June 4 fack	Fackenden
1988	nr*
1989	nr*
1990	nr*
1991	nr*
1992	nr*
1993	nr*
1994	nr*
1995	nr*
1996	nr*
1997	nr*
1998	nr*
1999	nr*
2000	nr*
2001	nr*
2002	nr*
2003	nr*
2004	nr*
2005	nr*
2006	nr*
2007	nr*
2008	nr*
2009	nr*
2010	June 5 fack	Fackenden
2011	nr*
2012	May 22 Fack	Fackenden
2013	June 18 Sel	Surrey
2014	May 29 Hut	Surrey
2015	May 30 Hut	Surrey
2016	nr*
2017	nr*
2018		Poss BC!
2019	May15 Fack	BC!
2020	nr*
2021	nr
2022
2023
2024
2025	May 25 Fack	1st Aug Lyd

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Map of areas inhabited by the Small Blue

Butterfly Survey 1976-2025

Small Blue

Small Blue Cupido minimus

Wingspan - 18-25 mm

The small blue is highly localised butterfly that can persist for many years in a confined area with a low colony density under variable climatic conditions. The colony I worked on at Shoreham Fckenden Down was discovered by pure chance, the butterfly being so subtle in flight that it could be mistaken for a series of other small butterflies and moths. Consequent to the discovery, I had the opportunity to discuss the colony with Richard Chalmers-Hunt, writer of Butterflies of Kent, who confirmed that the butterfly had bred in the particular dell at the foot of the Fackenden Down near White Hill, Shoreham, since 1926, (to his knowledge). in 2025 the colony looks very secure, even expanding its range and numbers across to nearby my original clearance area on White Hill. Now present for the first time in Bromley Common 2018 -2019 - last local records, Farnborough 1909.

Habit: male and female butterflies differ, the male having a dusting of pale blue scales (as above), the female plainer - undersides are simlilar. Best found by studying areas near or surrounding the butterfly foodplant at suitable times in the year - very subtle on the wing.

Single brooded**: over winters as a fully developed larvae, eggs are secreted in the flower head.

Larval Foodplant: kidney vetch

WH - White Hill Shoreham Fack -Fackenden Down BC - Bromley Common Elmfield, Ha- Hayes --BN -Bromley North Ey- Eynsford Orp-Orpington HE-High Elms Lull- Lullingstone Sel -Selsdon* Hut - Hutchinson Bank*

* East Surrey/Kent border -

** Possible second brood in 2018

Status: colony at Fackenden extant and secure..

© Rodney Compton