Plebejus argus (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on an isolated site in Cornwall: metal contamination and wing size

A pilot study of Plebejus argus (Linnaeus) butterflies was conducted on a small, abandoned mine site (Little Beside) in Cornwall. Mean adult P. argus forewing size appeared to be at the lower end of the size range for this species at the study site, which was found to be contaminated by a wide spectrum of metals such as iron, arsenic, aluminium and copper. Plebejus argus was observed feeding as larvae on Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull and Erica cinerea L. was essential as the only available nectar source when the adult P. argus emerged. Larvae were not found feeding on E. cinerea L. Possible interactions between contaminant metals, host plant/nectar source ecology and butterfly size are discussed in preparation for further study at Little Beside.