(Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775)
Meleager's Blue
Description:
The Meleager's Blue is a local butterfly that occurs on poor, rough vegetation and poor grassland often near woods. The populations are usually small. The scalloped edge of the hindwing of the female distinguishes this species from all other blues.
The female lays her eggs on Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) and Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia), favouring plants that grow in the shade provided by rocks or woodland. The caterpillars are attended by ants, including species of Lasius, Formica, and Tapinoma. Either the egg or the small caterpillar hibernates, and pupation takes place in the litter layer.
The Meleager's Blue has one generation a year.
Habitat:
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Polyommatus dolus