Polyommatui gennargenti on euroButterflies by Matt Rowlings

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Polyommatui gennargenti

Sardinian Chalk Hill Blue

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

Gennargentu, Sardinia, Italy, July 2015

Gennargentu, Sardinia, Italy, July 2015

Female.

Field notes and information

A recent addition to the species list of Europe - that's to say, it's recently been recognised as a full species, separate from the chalk hill blue P. coridon and the rather similar looking subspecies caelestissima from the Montes Universales, Spain.

It's characterised by a shining blue upperside in the male, and females that show extensive blue on the upperside. The undersides are typically with greatly reduced markings, sometimes nearly absent.

Identification & Similar species: There are no similar species on Sardinia. The chalk hill blue P. coridon is absent from the island.

Distribution & Flight: Found only in limestone areas of the Gennargentu national park in Sardinia, above around 1000m.

July and into August. During the hot summer of July 2015, it seems the females delayed emergence a shot time, as I only found a single example near the end of the month when they could be expected to be common.

Habitat & Behaviour: Rocky limestone grasslands with plenty of flowers. Males fly rapidly, patrolling extensively over the limited habitat area, only very rarely settling on bushes or flowers. Unfortunately I only found a single female. In contrast to the hyper-active males, she was reluctant to fly and hid amongst ferns and low plants.