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Glaucopsyche melanops

Black Eyed Blue

Field Notes

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Drôme, France, April 2004
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Var, France, May 2006
 

Alpes de Haute Provence, France, May 2005
 

Var, France, May 2004
 

Var, France, May 2004
 

Var, France, May 2004

Eyes covered in pollen from feeding on these blue flowers.

Drôme, France, April 2004

Black "eyes" large and clearly visible on the forewing

Drôme, France, April 2004

Provence, France, May 2002

 

This is an attractive blue of early spring found in southern France and Spain where it is local but widespread and north Africa where it is rather rarer. I've generally found it incidentally at occasional roadside stops. It never seems common, usually only in ones and twos. The underside is reminiscent of the Green Underside Blue, G. alexis, but this species has submarginal markings on the underside and the post discal black spots follow the more usual pattern of the Blues.

In April 2004 we found several individuals flying amongst trees, often at considerable height above ground level. This was on a steep slope so it is possible they were not able to relate to true ground level at all times. However this habit seemed normal and recalled the Holly Blue, Celatrina argiolus.

 

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