The Northern Brown Argus

This unassuming little butterfly is evident in the upper reaches of Alva Glen. It is brown with a row of orange spots on the outer wing edges, sometimes with white spots on the forewing. The Northern Brown Argus occurs in Northern England and Scotland. Its southern relative, the Brown Argus, is similar, but with orange spots on the forewing.

Their most important food plant for the larvae is the Common Rock-Rose (Helianthemum nummularium), though there are rare records of egg-laying (probably accidental) on other plants.  Every year, volunteers venture up the glen to clear invasive species around the Common Rock-Rose in order to ensure the survival of this local beauty.

Next time you are in the upper glen, look out for this bright yellow flower and,  if you look through your binoculars reversed, you might just see a single tiny white egg.

Conservation status of the Northern Brown Argus:

UK Biodiversity Action Plan status: Priority Species

Clackmannshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan status: Priority species

Butterfly Conservation priority: high
European threat status: not threatened
Protected in Great Britain for sale only