Fluttering Gems: Portraits Of The Chalk Hill Blue, Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper

Original antique prints of butterflies, published in the 19th century. These original plates coloured by hand are from the sixth edition of the publication with title: 'A History of British Butterflies' by Morris. Published in London in 1890. These hand-colored plates feature the following butterfly species:1. Chalk Hill Blue (Lysandra coridon): The Chalk Hill Blue is distinguishable by its powdery blue wings with black and white borders. It's predominantly found in the chalk downlands of southern England. Males are bright blue, while females are brown with blue dusting near the body. The species is interesting due to its specialized habitat requirements, with caterpillars that feed on horseshoe vetch, and it's a subject of conservation efforts.2. Brown Argus (Aricia agestis): The Brown Argus is a small butterfly with brown upper wings marked with orange spots near the edges. Unlike other 'blues', neither sex has blue coloring. It's adaptable to various habitats and has expanded its range recently. The presence of the Brown Argus is an indicator of the health of the local ecosystem.3. Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae): This small butterfly has a distinctive pattern of white spots on a dark, charcoal-colored background. They can be found in chalk grassland, woodland clearings, or any open, sunny place with sparse vegetation. The caterpillars feed on various plants, including wild strawberries. What makes the Grizzled Skipper interesting is its rapid and darting flight pattern and the checkerboard pattern on its wings, which make it quite recognizable.The documentation of these butterflies in such publications from the 19th century is crucial for understanding historical distributions and changes over time in butterfly populations. These plates serve as both scientific records and works of art, providing valuable insights into the biological diversity and ecological significance of British butterflies during that period.