Species account

Bølleblåfugl (Agriades optilete)    Knoch (1781)
   Blåfugle (Lycaenidae)    CRBL    24865
Cranberry Blue (gb)   Violett Blåvinge (se)      Synonyms: [Vacciniina optilete] [Plebejus optilete]
Measurements:
WS: 28-30mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
The male above is dark violet-blue with a clear white edge and narrow black rim. The female is basically brown above but with a varying degree of blue spread out from the center of the animal. Below they are both gray-beige with well-defined black spots encircled by white (more or less same size on fore- and hindwing). Characteristic for the species is 1-3 orange spots near the anal angle distally attached to a black eyespot filled with a iridescent blue.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
C Alps, NE Europe, Macedonia, Japan and N America.
Habitat:
Moors and bogs and in N Sweden also clearings in mountain forests with plenty of lingonberry.
Behavior:
Often appears several kilometers away from bog habitat. Often rests in top of small birches or host plants, incl Kragefod (Comarum palustre) [Purple Marshlocks ~ Kråkklöver]. Females are exposed to web-trapping when laying eggs in the dense vegetation.
Status:
Declining in Denmark. Now only present in C and N Jylland and a few locations east of Storebælt. Widespread and common in rest of Nordic region.
Host plants:
Tranebær (Vaccinium oxycoccos) [Cranberry ~ Arándano Agrio ~ Tranbär]
Mose-Bølle (Vaccinium uliginosum) [Bog Blueberry ~ Arándano Negro ~ Odon]
Rosmarinlyng (Andromeda polifolia) [Bog-Rosemary ~ Rosling]
Tyttebær (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) [Lingonberry ~ Árandano Rojo ~ Lingon]
Klokkelyng (Erica tetralix) [Cross-leaved Heath ~ Brezo de Turbera ~ Klockljung]
Revling (Empetrum nigrum) [Crowberry ~ Camarina Negra ~ Kråkbär]
Feeding plants:
Kragefod (Comarum palustre) [Purple Marshlocks ~ Kråkklöver]
Comment:
In Holmegaards Mose, Sjælland it flies in close proximity to idas (Foranderlig Blåfugl).
Cranberry Blue 986    (2 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago
This damaged animal was found on more dry ground, a good part away from the main spot.



Cranberry Blue 987    (2 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago
At the edge of the boardwalk going through the main area for the species.



Cranberry Blue 993    (2 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago
Enjoys the wet habitat with cranberry and heather.



Cranberry Blue 988    (3 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Han
A faded male.



Cranberry Blue 989    (1 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Han




Cranberry Blue 990    (1 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Han




Cranberry Blue 985    (2 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Hun




Cranberry Blue 991    (2 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Hun
Strangely fade above and fresh looking below.



Cranberry Blue 992    (1 photos)
2022-06-25    Holmegaards Mose, Denmark

Imago Hun