This butterfly is very similar to the Brown Argus and was formerly consider to be the same species but recent studies have provided justification for this butterfly to be considered as a species in its own right. It has more prominent orange markings when compared to the Brown Argus and is only found in southwestern Europe. It was quite common in the Barrocal region of southern Portugal, where it flew alongside the Southern Blue.
Distribution: Sardinia, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
Flight Period: March-October in several broods.
Habitat: Dry grassland and meadows, scrub, maquis up to 2000m, usually lower.
Foodplants: Species of Cistaceae, such as the Sage-leaved Rockrose (Cistus salviifolius).
Nectar sources: In southern Portugal I observed it feeding mostly on Clustered Carline Thistle (Carlina corymbosa) and in Spain, primarily Mediterranean Thyme (Thymus capitata).
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- Southern Brown Argus, Nerja, Spain, July 2020
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- Southern Brown Argus, Portomarin, Spain, June 2017
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- Southern Brown Argus, Nerja, Spain, July 2020
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- Southern Brown Argus, Tavira, Portugal, July 2017
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- Helianthemum sp
