Vaud,
Switzerland, September 2009
A rather dark brown individual with reduced markings.
Valais,
Switzerland, May 2006
Very fine black fringe markings. Also blue on the submarginal band of
the forewing is not something seen (?) in, for example, the Common Blue,
P. icarus.
Valais,
Switzerland, May 2006
Cluj, Romania,
June 2006
Savoie,
France, May 2005
Var, France,
May 2005
Alpes de Haute
Provence, France, May 2005
Savoie,
France, May 2005
Pirin Mts,
Bulgaria, July 2004
Please send
comments on the rather violet blue of this specimen.
Var, France,
May 2004
Blue form female.
A correspondent has proposed this is approaching the form semiceronus.
Var, France,
August 2004
Var, France,
August 2004
Valais,
Switzerland, June 2004
Dorest, UK,
August 2001
Dorest, UK,
August 2001
Dorest, UK,
August 2001
Provence,
France, August 2003
Isère,
France, August 2002
Provence,
France, August 2003
The males of this species are of a glorious
dazzling blue. The blue flashes in the sunlight alternating with the
relatively inconspicuous underside. In the UK it is restricted to open
grassland of the southern chalk hills where it is locally common.
Elsewhere in Europe its habitat preferences seem to be less strict and
it can be found in more diverse habitats where, due to higher
temperatures and a stronger sun, the requirement is relaxed for short
turf and associated hot spot microclimates for the developing larvae.
It is found across Europe but is absent from Scandinavia and in the
UK except from southern England. In north Africa it is replaced by the
very similar Spotted Adonis Blue, Lysandra punctifera.