Plebejus argyrognomon

Plebejus Blue ( male ) ( Plebejus argyrognomon )

The Plebejus Blue ( Plebejus argyrognomon, often incorrectly written also Plebeius argyrognomon ) is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Lycaenidae ( Lycaenidae ).

Features

The moths reach a wingspan of 25-30 millimeters. You have similarity with the Silver-studded Blue ( Plebejus argus ) but are larger. They have light gray blue gray with black border (males) or at the base of deep blue, outwardly dark gray-brown (females ) wing tops, which are fringed white at the edge. In females, several, some orange and black colored spots are ranked near the rear edge of the wing. The females are colored only very weakly or not at all blue and dark brown more in the southern distribution areas.

The caterpillars are about 15 mm long. They are colored green and wearing a dark green, slightly bright on both sides of the back line and light side lines. They have short, white, silky hair.

Similar Species

• Silver-studded Blue ( Plebejus argus )
• Idas Blue ( Plebejus idas )

Characteristics distinguishing Plebejus idas:

Occurrence

The animals are found in parts of France, in central and southern Europe and Turkey, the most popular ones but they are in South-Eastern Europe, Central Europe they are very rare and in many places already gone. Mostly they live in northern Europe. They are found at an altitude 200-1500 meters. They live on dry, flowery meadows, but also occur in wetlands.

Flight time

The moths fly in two generations a year from mid-May to June and from late June to July. In cold areas they fly in one generation from late June to late August.

Food of the caterpillars

The caterpillars live in symbiosis with ants and a special diet of Colorful Kronwicke ( Coronilla varia), occasionally also by Sweet - Astragalus ( Astragalus glycyphyllos ).

Development

The females of the first generation lay their eggs on both sides of the leaves and flowers of the forage, the second generation place them on the stems. The second generation hatch until after the winter.

Threats and conservation

• Red List BRD: 3 (endangered ).