Cigaritis allardi

Allard's Silver Lines

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

copyright © 2003-2023

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

Field notes and information

The largest and brightest of the three silver lines, Cigaritis, in the region.

Identification & Similar species: It is characterised by the extensive white underside ground colour. The markings on the hindwing form roughly continuous lines in the Allard's silver lines C. allardi, which is not the case in the similar Donzel's silver lines C. zohra. The submarginal black spots are rather small and clearly distinct.

Distribution & Flight: Atlas mountains in Morocco and Algeria from sea level to 2000m or more. It is found from March to July in, I think, a single generation.

Habitat & Behaviour: It seems to prefer open areas on hot dry slopes with just a few shrubs and very sparse vegetation. They fly fast and low over the bare ground.

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005

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Anti Atlas, Morocco, April 2013

Female.

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Anti Atlas, Morocco, April 2013

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(c) Peter Rowlings Middle Atlas, Morocco, May 1998

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022

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Anti-Atlas, Morocco, March 2022