This is one of my favourite butterflies. It is a small species with a beautiful silvery-grey upperside in the males which is only found at high altitudes in rocky habitats or areas of short alpine grassland. They are discrete butterflies which form distinct local colonies but they (the males in particular) can be found taking salts from damp ground away from their breeding sights with other blues; often in good numbers.

Distribution: Restricted to France and Spain in the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa.

Flight Period: June-early August in 1 brood.

Habitat: Rocky alpine slopes, short alpine grassland and stony alpine stream-sides between 1700m and 2300m.

Foodplants: Shaggy Rock Jasmine (Androsace villosa)

Nectar Sources: Sometimes visits small mountain flowers like Rock Jasmine (Androsace) or Mountain Tea (Sideritis); more often seen mudpuddling.

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