THE HOLLY BLUE 
253 
Haunts and Distribution. The Holly Blue resembles the 
Hairstreaks in its habits, which differ from those of the other 
British Blues. Its favourite haunts are shrubberies and 
gardens well stocked with evergreens, especially Holly, Ivy, 
Privet and Laurel. Over and around these it flits about in 
the sunshine and rests dilring dull weather and at night 
amid the foliage. Flowers apparently have little attraction 
for this beautiful little butterfly, except Lilac, Buddleia, 
Wild Hyacinth and the Dandelion, which it occasionally 
frequents. It is, however, strongly attracted by the ex¬ 
uding sap of trunks of trees, especially of the Oak and 
Birch. I have frequently seen it in the autumn, in company 
with Red Admirals, wasps and flies, feasting on the sweet 
liquid. In dry weather it is fond of drinking at puddles of 
water or any other moisture. I have seen it feeding on liquid 
exuding from cattle droppings. 
This butterfly ranges over the southern half of England 
and Wales, becoming less plentiful northwards, and is absent 
from Scotland. It is locally common in the wooded districts 
of Ireland, where it is apparently single-brooded. Abroad it 
is distributed over Europe (except for the Polar Regions), 
northern Asia, north Africa, China and Japan. 
Time of Appearance. L. argtolus is one of the earliest of 
the butterflies to appear in the spring. In early seasons, 
during warm sunny weather, it sometimes is met with at the 
end of March. During the last half of April it usually makes its 
appearance. It is normally double-brooded ; the first brood 
is out from the middle of April until the middle of June ; the 
second brood from mid-July until mid-August; but as a rule 
many of the pupae of the second brood remain over the autumn 
and winter and do not emerge until the following spring. In 
some seasons, however, almost all produce butterflies the same 
summer. Owing to the late appearance at times in the 
autumn, it is probable that a partial third brood occurs, for 
examples in perfect condition sometimes appear late in October. 
This butterfly may, therefore, sometimes be found on the wing 
for eight consecutive months—from the end of March until 
the end of October. 
Hibernation. L. argioltis hibernates in the pupal state, 
which usually lasts about six months. 
