Forget-Me-Not

The Large Blue (Phengaris arion) is a mysterious blue butterfly identified by a row of black spots on its upper forewing. In 1795, the Large Blue was first recorded as a British species. It was always a rare species of butterfly that unfortunately became extinct in 1979. In the following decade it was reintroduced as part of a long term and highly successful conservation project.

Forget-Me-Not
Screen prints
148 x 105 mm

Larvae (caterpillars) initially feed on the flower heads of Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus) and Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare). However, later they feed on ant grubs found in the nests of Red Ants (Myrmica sabuleti). The tiny larvae drop to the ground and are taken underground by the ants. Each larva secretes a sweet fluid from a ‘honey gland’ to attract ants who believe the larva is one of their own. The larva turns from a herbivore into a carnivore and feeds on the ant grubs through the winter until it is ready to pupate. The following summer the Large Blue butterfly emerges from underground.

Forget-Me-Not
Screen prints
Khadi paper
148 x 105 mm

In the late 1970s, Jeremy Thomas, Professor of Ecology at Oxford University, identified that the Myrmica sabuleti ant species was essential for the Large Blue to carry out their life cycle and was required for their successful reintroduction into Britain. In addition, the growth of Wild Thyme and Marjoram are needed for the butterflies to feed and lay eggs on. The Large Blue was successfully reintroduced from European populations in the 1980s and can now be seen in Britain. Nevertheless, they are the rarest of all nine British blue butterflies.