(Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)
Chelmos Blue
Description:
The Chelmos Blue is found in dry open, calcareous places with a short vegetation, sometimes also in open patches in scrub or in woodland clearings. The females seldom leave their breeding ground, but the males roam outside it, for example, searching for patches of moist ground.
The sainfoin Onobrychis alba is used as food plant. Goats can form a threat for populations of this butterfly when there is too much grazing; the only food plants that survive are those growing amongst thorny plants. The caterpillars are attended by ants.
The Chelmos Blue has one generation a year and hibernates when still a small caterpillar, under a stone.
Habitat:
Dry calcareous grasslands
Sclerophyllous scrub
Similar species:
Polyommatus dolus
Polyommatus damon