This small species is quite striking, with chequered black and white wing margins and a smoky-blue upperside. It also possesses one of the palest undersides of any blue, with an almost white ground colour with an orange marginal band and black spots. It can be found in warm rocky hillsides where its foodplant Sedum grows. Males are quite territorial and will sit on a prominent flowerhead or grass stem and drive away most other butterflies!
Distribution: Scattered across hilly areas of Europe: from eastern Spain through southern France, Switzerland, northern Italy and throughout the Balkans. Colonies also exist in Corsica, Germany, south Sweden and south Finland.
Flight Period: May-June in 1 brood, but occasionally a small second brood flies in July/August in some localities.
Habitat: Dry, often hot rocky gullies, stony hillsides and sometimes woodland clearings in rocky areas at low-moderate altitudes.
Foodplants: Various species of Sedum.
Nectar Sources: Not often seen nectaring, but will take small mountain-dwelling flowers, as well as mineral salts.
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- Chequered Blue (reared)
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- Chequered Blue (reared)
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- Chequered Blue (reared)
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- Reflexed Stonecrop, Sedum reflexum. A probable foodplant throughout its range.
