is this a reference to mkultra or the u.k butterfly?
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Blue butterflies are a diverse and captivating group within the UK, belonging to the subfamily Polyommatinae, which includes nine resident species in the country.
Despite their name, not all species are blue, as some exhibit strong sexual dimorphism where females are predominantly brown, and in certain species, neither sex displays blue coloration.
These butterflies are known for their iridescent wing colors and are found in a wide variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, gardens, heathlands, and coastal areas.
The most widespread and commonly seen blue butterfly in the UK is the common blue (Polyommatus icarus), which is found across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, including the British Isles.
It is particularly adaptable, thriving in meadows, woodland clearings, coastal dunes, and even urban gardens, provided its larval food plants are present.
The common blue is double-brooded in southern England, with adults flying from May to October, and sometimes into November with a third brood in favorable conditions.
Males have bright blue upper wings with a black border and white fringe, while females are typically brown with a blue dusting and distinctive orange spots along the wing margins.
Another frequently encountered species is the holly blue (Celastrina argiolus), which is often seen in gardens and parks, especially in the spring.
It is the first blue butterfly to appear each year, typically from April onwards, and is most likely to be found near holly and ivy, its primary larval food plants.
The holly blue has a pale silvery underside with fine black spots and lacks the orange spots seen on the common blue, making it easier to distinguish when viewed from below.
It is double-brooded in much of its range, with a summer generation laying eggs on ivy, and populations can fluctuate due to a parasitic wasp that preys on its caterpillars.
Other notable blue butterflies include the small blue (Cupido minimus), the smallest UK butterfly, which is restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands where its host plant, kidney vetch, grows.
The silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus) is found on heathlands and coastal sites, relying on ant colonies for protection during its larval stage through a mutualistic relationship known as myrmecophily.
The Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus) and chalkhill blue (Lysandra coridon) are rarer species associated with specific habitats like chalk grasslands, while the brown argus (Aricia agestis) and northern brown argus (Aricia artaxerxes) are often mistaken for female common blues due to their similar appearance.
The common blue has been elected as the national butterfly of Israel in 2023, highlighting its international significance.
It was first described by Siegmund Adrian von Rottemburg in 1775 and is known by several vernacular names, including "ultramarine blue" and "caerulean butterfly".
The species has also been introduced to North America, with confirmed sightings in Quebec, Canada, where it appears to be well established and expanding its range.
However, despite its adaptability, the common blue has experienced a significant population decline, with an estimated 74% loss since 1901, largely due to the loss of its larval food plants, particularly bird’s-foot trefoil, which has declined by 46% since 1901.
To support blue butterflies in gardens, planting native meadow grasses and larval food plants such as bird’s-foot trefoil, black medick, and wild marjoram can encourage species like the common blue and small copper to visit and potentially breed.
The presence of nectar-rich flowers like cornflower and marjoram also helps sustain adult butterflies.
These efforts contribute to the conservation of these delicate insects, which are valued not only for their beauty but also for their role in ecosystem health.