English name:
Blue Argus
Full scientific name:
Aricia anteros (Freyer, 1838)
Croatian name:
Igličin mrki plavac
Flight Period and Life Cycle
1-2 broods per year.
Distribution in Croatia
Mountains only. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
The upper side of wings is blue in males and brown in females.
(1) The position of black spots in S6 and S7 zones is common for genus Aricia.
(2) On both wings there are orange spots. A thin distance between orange spots is visible on the forewing. Orange color is pale.
(3) Black spots are large and surrounded with a bit greyish color.
(4) Some individuals have the cell dark spot. A. agestis and A. artaxerxes do not have it.
(5) Most individuals have three spots placed on the curved dashed line.
(6) In females, on the upper side of the hindwing, each orange spot is placed between black spot and black bracket. A. agestis and A. artaxerxes do not have black brackets.
Behavior
Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers. Males are much more active than females.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Geranium family (Geraniaceae) like G. sanguineum and G. macrorrhizum.
Habitat
Warm and rocky slopes on the mountains. Elevations: 500-1700m.
Gallery
