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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
The Short-tailed Blue was first seen in Britain on Bloxworth Heath in Dorset and is often referred to as the 'Bloxworth Blue'. The Short-tailed Blue is one of the rarest butterflies to naturally occur in Britain as a migrant from mainland Europe. Many years may go by without a single sighting as the species is not known for its migratory abilities.
Approximately the same size of a Small (Little) Blue, the Short-tailed Blue has a similar underside wing pattern with the additon of a distinctive orange spot and small tail to its hind wings.
Habitat
The Short-tailed Blue occurs in scrubby grassland clearings heaths and woodland edges where the larval food plant occurs.
Larval Food Plants
The larval food plants required by the Short-tailed Blue are very common in the UK and include Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) and Lucerne (Medicago sativa). With global warming, it is possible for this species to naturally colonise and prosper in Britain. |
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| Stock Photography Library |
| We have 9 photographs of the Short-tailed Blue in the British Butterflies photo library |
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BB730 - Short-tailed Blue
DSC_2975.JPG
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BB729 - Short-tailed Blue
DSC_2973.JPG
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BB728 - Short-tailed Blue
DSC_2654.JPG
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BB655 - Short-tailed Blue
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BB654 - Short-tailed Blue
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BB653 - Short-tailed Blue
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BB652 - Short-tailed Blue
DSC_2877.JPG
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BB651 - Short-tailed Blue
DSC_2871.JPG
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| Distribution |
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Populations of the Short-tailed Blue are present in France, northern Spain and Germany, extending across the continent as far north as the Baltic states. There has been a general shift northwards as global warming continues.
Although this species is at present a very rare occurrence in Britain (it does not have strong migratory habits so its presence in Britain is usually associated with strong southerly winds blowing towards Britain), it is highly likely that with global warming, the species could colonise Britain as its larval food plants are very common here. |
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| Where to see the Short-tailed Blue |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Short-tailed Blue is a rare migrant species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  not applicable |
(1976-2004) not applicable |
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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 applicable (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 |
 not applicable4 |
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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 Short-tailed Blue can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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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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20-30mm
