Species account

Dværgblåfugl (Cupido minimus)    Fuessly (1775)
   Blåfugle (Lycaenidae) [Sommerfugle]    SMBL    24860
Small Blue (gb)   Duende Menor (es)   Mindre Blåvinge (se)  
Synonyms (common):
Little Blue (gb) Liten Blåvinge (se)
Measurements:
WS: 18-28mm
Generations:
1-2
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
Scan
Identification:
The smallest in the Nordic region. Dark brown above with white rim and only a faint trace of a black inner margin. Ribbons pale. The male has blue scales above, but wear off quickly.

Below the ground color is light gray-brown. Bands of small black dots on both wings with white circles run in a straight line on both wings, compared to semiargus (Engblåfugl).
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
N and C Spain through Europe, Asia to Amur.
Habitat:
Dry and warm open areas with calcareous soil. Often seen on recently cleared land with sparse vegetation where Rundbælg grows.
Behavior:
Flies low and often in larger flocks.
Host plants:
Rundbælg (Anthyllis vulneraria) [Common Kidneyvetch ~ Vulneraria ~ Getväppling]
Almindelig Kællingetand (Lotus corniculatus) [Bird's-foot Trefoil ~ Loto Corniculado ~ Käringtand]
Feeding plants:
Rundbælg (Anthyllis vulneraria) [Common Kidneyvetch ~ Vulneraria ~ Getväppling]
Almindelig Kællingetand (Lotus corniculatus) [Bird's-foot Trefoil ~ Loto Corniculado ~ Käringtand]
Humle-Sneglebælg (Medicago lupulina) [Black Medick ~ Humlelusern]
Endemic:
Status
In Denmark slightly declining. Present in most parts of the country. Absent Langeland, Bornholm. Rare Finland, common Øland and Gotland, rest of Sweden and Norway scarce.
Comment:
In Nordic region it only gets one generation, but further south two is possible.
Small Blue 973    (4 photos)
2022-06-25    Holtug Kridtbrud (Stevns), Denmark

Imago
Different animals.
The last one, looking fresher than the others, is probably a female. Saw a handful of them, but unfortunately I forgot to try get photos of the underside. These in the photos would not allow it, and probably because I was there to find a Red-veined Darter, and didn't, I concluded that it would be better to continue to the next destination of the day, where I would look for Cranberry Blues. A new species. So I left and didn't think about the little blue underside until later. Next year.



Small Blue 1284    (5 photos)
2022-06-25    Holtug Kridtbrud (Stevns), Denmark

Imago
Different animals. Small size and on host plant Rundbælg (Anthyllis vulneraria) [Common Kidneyvetch ~ Vulneraria ~ Getväppling].
I'm not sure about sexes, but the last two photos are of the same animal, and the body looks fat indicating a female. Difficult to photograph this batch was.



Small Blue 1432    (2 photos BOTH SIDES)
2023-05-26    Melby Overdrev, Denmark

Imago
Hiding well on this windy day.



Small Blue 1433    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Melby Overdrev, Denmark

Imago
In the same spot as 1432, and not the same as the number of spots on the forewing underside shows.



Small Blue 1476    (3 photos BOTH SIDES)
2023-06-12    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Svenskeholmvej - pinseskoven.
My first on Amager. Like it because I went out to look for it especially; although at another spot at first. Might be more in suited habitat, and even more so this year with the dry conditions everywhere.



Small Blue 1695    (3 photos BOTH SIDES)
2023-06-24    Grusgrav ved Mogenstrup (Sjælland), Denmark

Imago
Together with 1696.



Small Blue 1696    (1 photos)
2023-06-24    Grusgrav ved Mogenstrup (Sjælland), Denmark

Imago
Together with 1695.



Small Blue 2127    (1 photos)
2023-08-04    Lild Klitplantage (Thy), Denmark

Imago




Small Blue 2240    (1 photos)
2023-08-20    Høvblege (Møn), Denmark

Imago
A single animal seen, and only this briefly, without showing the underside.