Long-tailed Blue

 

A couple of years ago we planted Everlasting Pea in the garden in the hope of attracting the Long-tailed Blue Butterflies. Mid September, last year, and we had success with a couple found in the kitchen and another three in the garden (see blog here). 

There had been no sign of  caterpillar action on the Everlasting Pea but perhaps just having the plant in the garden is enough to attract females looking to lay eggs late in the season. The males will be sure to follow. We also have late flowering nectaring plants in the garden including Verbena which the butterflies seem to like.

This year September was no show and by the end of October I was starting to give up hope, my latest sighting ever had been 25th October. Then on 30th October during a heavy rain shower Sue walked into the kitchen and spotted one sitting on the kitchen window.

Long-tailed Blue

The next couple of hours played out exactly as last year. I took a few photographs. The butterfly refused to stay on any of the household green plants, preferring the windows and work surfaces. As with last year it only gave me one brief view of an open wing shot. Not ideal but you have to take whatever you are offered and it at least shows that this is a female.

Long-tailed Blue (back light)

 

With heavy rain outside I left it on one of the windows where it sat quiet happily till late afternoon.

Long-tailed Blue

Then with the sun breaking through I through I might have a chance of a picture on the garden greenery. I took it outside on my finger and gently placed it on the Verbena, with the image of it nectaring on the blue flowers already in my mind.

It was not to be, the instant it touched the plant it took off high over the garden, hovered there for about thirty seconds, then took off across the adjoining gardens. A replay of exactly what happened last year.

Long-tailed blues have successfully bred in this country but it is not clear if they can survive the winter in any stage of their life cycle. Perhaps with climate change we will eventually have a self supporting colony here.

I just hope she survives the incoming Storm Ciarán.