This species is quite a large blue and is best identified by looking at the underside, which has finer orange markings which don’t extend as far up the wing margins compared to similar species. The subspecies which occurs in Scandinavia is smaller and females typically have much bluer uppersides than the nominate form found further south. It is widespread but can be sparse; often accompanying other blues when taking nutrients from the ground (or a bone which was the case when I saw it in the Pyrenees!) Previous accounts that I have read regarding butterfly sightings in the Pyrenees suggest that it is not a common species there, so I was quite lucky to find one near the village of Gavarnie.

Distribution: Patchily distributed in the Spanish mountains, through S France to S Fennoscandia in the north and S Greece in the south.

Flight Period: May-July in 1 brood.

Habitat: Woodland clearings, warm meadows, dry grassland, light scrub,  from 0-2000m, more commonly found above 1000m.

Foodplants: Various vetches, such as Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa), Slender Vetch (Vicia tetrasperma) and Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis).

Nectar Sources:  A variety of flowers but particularly vetches and other members of the pea family (Fabacaea). Sometimes takes nutrients from damp ground.

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