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Pseudoaricia nicias

Silvery Argus

Field Notes

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Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

 

Alpes Maritimes, Italy, August 2004

 

Valais, Switzerland, July 2005

Taking salts with a very close relative, Glandon Blue, A. glandon

 

Alpes Maritimes, Italy, August 2004

 

Alpes Maritimes, Italy, August 2004

 

Alpes Maritimes, Italy, August 2004

 

Alpes Maritimes, Italy, August 2004

Communal drinking of salts.
OK, no nicias here - that's a small Damon Blue, Agrodiaetus damon, on the right. Thanks to the enthusiast who pointed out my deliberate mistake!
Useful comparison of the two species though!

 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003

 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003
 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003
 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003
 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003
 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003
 

Alpes Maritimes, France, July 2003

 

This is a gorgeous little butterfly. The blue of the males is a delightful pale powdery blue that sparkles in the sunlight. I've found almost all my examples of this species flying close to mountain streams. They often take salts from mud which is where most of my photos are taken. I've seen very few females and, as far as I know, I have no photos of them. They are almost completely brown on the upperside.

Its range is limited. It flies in the high mountains of the eastern Pyrenees and the south west Alps and in central Sweden and southern Finland.

 

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