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False Baton
Blue
Pseudophilotes abencerragus
Distribution: North Africa and sporadic in southern and central Spain
and Portugal. In N Africa it is widespread and common in spring. I've never
found it in Europe.
Identification: Closely similar to the other Pseudophilotes
species but only shares its distribution with Panoptes Blue, P. panoptes.
Refer to the Baton Blue, P. baton for more
details on separation.
Flight time: In Europe, only in spring (April/May). In North Africa
double brooded in spring and in late summer at elevated levels.
Habitat: Hot dry grassy places amongst open woodland or scrub. In N
Africa I've generally found it near water and trees e.g. around irrigated fields
or in oases deeper in the desert. Larvae take Thyme and one or two other low
growing plants.
Behaviour: Flies low amongst rocks and dry grass where its very small
size renders it difficult to track with the eye.
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