![Photo: alveus17.jpg](../pics/a/alveus17.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
![Photo: alveus22.jpg](../pics/a/alveus22.jpg)
Hautes Alpes, France, July 2013
Field notes and information
This is one of the larger of the Pyrgus species.
Identification & Similar species: Upperside spots are generally small and the upperside hindwing markings are rather diffuse and indistinct. The underside hindwing discal area has a large white block, approximately rectangular in shape.
Distribution & Flight: North Africa, much of Spain through France to southern Scandinavia and Greece. Absent from much of Italy. Single brooded from June to August.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flowery grassy places often amongst trees but also well above the tree line.
Variation: The subspecies centralhispaniae from central France and Spain is more brightly marked on the upperside.
![Photo: alveus18.jpg](../pics/a/alveus18.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, June 2011
![Photo: alveus24.jpg](../pics/a/alveus24.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, August 2013
![Photo: alveus25.jpg](../pics/a/alveus25.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, August 2013
![Photo: alveus16.jpg](../pics/a/alveus16.jpg)
![Photo: alveus14.jpg](../pics/a/alveus14.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
![Photo: alveus23.jpg](../pics/a/alveus23.jpg)
Hautes Alpes, France, July 2013
![Photo: alveus15.jpg](../pics/a/alveus15.jpg)
Asturias Mts, Spain, July 2011
![Photo: alveus19.jpg](../pics/a/alveus19.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, July 2012
![Photo: alveus21.jpg](../pics/a/alveus21.jpg)
Bern, Switzerland, August 2012
![Photo: alveus20.jpg](../pics/a/alveus20.jpg)
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
![Photo: alveus4.jpg](../pics/a/alveus4.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, October 2010
An extremely late date. Several individuals were flying together.
![Photo: alveus5.jpg](../pics/a/alveus5.jpg)
Hautes Alpes, France, July 2009
![Photo: alveus6.jpg](../pics/a/alveus6.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2008
![Photo: alveus8.jpg](../pics/a/alveus8.jpg)
![Photo: alveus9.jpg](../pics/a/alveus9.jpg)
![Photo: alveus7.jpg](../pics/a/alveus7.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
![Photo: alveus1.jpg](../pics/a/alveus1.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2004
Small upperside white markings.
![Photo: alveus2.jpg](../pics/a/alveus2.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2004
Rather larger than normal fw markings but I can only think it is this species in 1st week of June.
![Photo: alveus3.jpg](../pics/a/alveus3.jpg)
SE Pyrenees, Spain, August 2003
Ssp. centralhispaniae with bolder upperside spots and markings.