Valais, Switzerland, July 2010
Male.
Valais, Switzerland, May 2014
Typically there is no or little orange on the underside hindwing.
Field notes and information
Widespread but sporadic across much of central Europe. Often common.
Identification & Similar species: Very similar to the short and eastern short tailed blues E. argiades & E. decoloratus. See those species for aid in separation. It is also similar to the small blues, Cupido, for example in Valais, Switzerland, where the hindwing tail can be absent. There is however a small kink in the hindwing margin where the tails would be which separates it from the small blues.
Distribution & Flight: A patchy distribution from north Spain, Switzerland, Italy and eastern Europe from Poland to north Greece. It flies in 2 or 3 broods from May to the end of summer.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flowery grassy places, often in woodland or bushy habitats, in hotter localities more frequent near damp areas (streams, ditches etc).
Valais, Switzerland, May 2010
Females are brown on the upperside.
Valais, Switzerland, May 2018
Vaud, Switzerland, April 2014
A very orange example. Note however that the orange does not reach the marginal black spot and it is still much less extensive than in the short tailed blue E. argiades.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
Valais, Switzerland, April 2020
Vaud, Switzerland, June 2020
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
Valais, Switzerland, July 2021
Valais, Switzerland, April 2020
Valais, Switzerland, May 2020
Vaud, Switzerland, April 2014
Valais, Switzerland May 2016
Valais, Switzerland, April 2020
Valais, Switzerland May 2016