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Cyaniris semiargus helena

Greek Mazarine Blue

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Male

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Female

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

Same male as first photo.
Note underside orange lunules show through to upperside.

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2002

This is a delightful diminutive butterfly that is found only on the Pelopennesos of southern Greece. It is common on Mt. Chelmos and one or two other mountains. In June we only found it at higher levels although it is supposed to be found lower down too.

It is separated from the typical Mazarine Blue by the orange markings on the underside and it is generally much smaller. Some authors treat it as a different species and on appearances alone I would agree.