Var, France, July 2009

Var, France, July 2010

Field notes and information

The furry blues, the taxons with pale blue uppersides in the male, has a confused taxonomic history. My interpretation of the latest state of affairs is as follows.

From north Spain, the species P. fulgens flies. That speices also includes the Forster's furry blue as a form rather than a species, or even a subspecies.

From south France, the taxon P. dolus dolus is found in the southeast (foothills and low levels of the Alps) while to the western Mediterranean area for France P. dolus vittatus flies.

From central and southern Italy the species P. virgilius flies.

Identification & Similar species: Very pale upperside blue in the male, usually with a white underside stripe. See discussion above for other similar species.

Distribution & Flight: Hot dry foothills of the major mountains of northern Spain. Flies in high summer in July and August.

Habitat & Behaviour: Hot dry grassy slopes with flowers.

Var, France, July 2009

Female

Var, France, July 2009

Var, France, July 2010

Var, France, July 2009

Var, France, July 2009