THE SILVER-STUDDED BLUE 
215 
it is almost unknown, although suitable localities abound ; 
it has been reported from the Murrough of Wicklow and 
Rostrevor. Abroad it is distributed over the greater part of 
Europe and Asia ; and its range extends to Corea and Japan. 
Time of Appearance. — This little Blue is single-brooded, 
appearing on the wing in July and August. In normal seasons 
it is fully out by the middle of July. 
Hibernation. This species passes the winter months in the 
egg state, which extends over a period of eight months. 
Egg and Egg Laying. Egg laying takes place during the 
latter part of July and early August. They are laid singly 
and adhere very firmly to the plants on which they are 
deposited. In captivity this butterfly will readily lay its eggs 
on the smaller branches of Furze ( Ulex cnropaeus ), also on 
Broom (Sarofhamnus scoparius). In all probability both 
these are natural food plants of the larvae. Bird's Foot 
(Ornithopus perpiisillus), Heath and Common Heather, Needle 
Green Weed ( Genista anglica ), Rest-harrow ( Ononis arvensis) 
and other leguminous plants are also suitable. 
The egg measures o*6o mm. wide and 0*30 mm. high, is 
of a compressed spherical shape. The centre of the crown 
is deeply sunken and very finely punctured; these perforations 
are smallest in the centre and increase in size on nearing the 
side, where they develop into a beautiful pattern resembling 
lace-work, consisting of a number of prominences placed at 
somewhat regular intervals and connected one to the other 
by six keels or spokes, the interstices being very deep ; the 
reticulations again decrease on nearing the base. Both the 
colour and texture resemble white porcelain, the depths pro¬ 
duce a deep purplish-grey shade. When hatching, the little 
larva eats away a small hole in the crown of the egg just 
large enough for it to creep out. The egg stage lasts from 
July or the beginning of August until the end of the following 
March, or early April; fully eight months. 
Larva. Upon emergence, the young larvae were placed 
inside the expanding blossoms of Furze, upon which they at 
once started to feed, eating the stamens and petals. 
By about June 21st, the larva attains full growth, after the 
fourth moult. When fully grown, it is 1270 mm. in length 
while at rest. The first segment is projecting, flattened and 
