English name:
Adonis Blue
Full scientific name:
Lysandra bellargus (Rottemburg, 1775)
Synonym:
Polyommatus bellargus (Rottemburg, 1775)
Croatian name:
Blistavi plavac
Flight Period and Life Cycle
2-3 broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
More common in coastal area including islands. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
In male, the upper side of both wings is blue in color. In similar Lysandra coridon male, the upper side of wings is turquoise-blue in color with dark border. More details how to determine two species are shown below:
(1) Both species have a white margin with dark fringes. Lysandra bellargus has a bit more sharp fringes.
(2) In Lysandra coridon males, dark border is wider on the upper side of the forewing.
(3) In the marginal zone, the dark line between fringes and dark spots is more prominent in Lysandra bellargus.
(4) In females, on the upper side of wings, orange spots are more prominent in Lysandra bellargus.
(5) The orange spots of the hindwing’s underside are more prominent in Lysandra bellargus. It is valid for both sexes.
(6) The dark spots on the underside of the hindwing are smaller in Lysandra coridon.
Behavior
Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Fabaceae.
Habitat
From rocky terrains to warm meadows at edges of woodland and bushes. Elevations: 0-1500m.
Gallery
