Holly Blue

Another day of torrential rain, hail, thunder and lightning interspersed with sunny spells. I was surprised to see any butterflies today but had visits from Brimstone, Small White, Red Admiral and this male Holly Blue. Morris (1895) describes the Holly Blue (also known then as the Azure blue) as "plain but neat". I think that's a bit unfair, a fresh Holly Blue is a beautiful sight especially if you get to see it with wings held open. If anyone knows the French or German names for this species I would be interested to hear it.

Postscript: L'Azure des nerpruns (nerpruns being buckthorn)