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Cyaniris semiargus semiargus

Mazarine Blue

Field Notes

Valais, Switzerland, June 2006

Jura, France July 2006

Valais, Switzerland, May 2006

Valais, Switzerland, June 2006

Pirin Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Valais, Switzerland, June 2004

High Atlas, Morocco, July 2005

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Slovakia, July 2001

Female

Provence, France, July 2003

Female

Slovakia, July 2001

Female, probably same one as first photograph

Valais, Switzerland, April 2003

Valais, Switzerland, April 2003

Valais, Switzerland, April 2003

This is a widespread butterfly of the hills and mountains that I never find to be common. It flies from north Africa through almost all of Europe to Scandinavia and Greece. There are very old records from the UK but it hasn't been seen there since the middle of the 18th century. Usually I only find one or two at a time. They tend to like damp places with plenty of flowers and grass. The male is of a deep rich blue upperside with veins lined black. The female is completely brown. The underside has minimal but distinct markings.

I was surprised to find them flying at the end of April in Switzerland. Then I read that In this country they are reportedly 2 or 3 brooded and I can only presume that this is the first of these broods.

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