Zephyr Blue

Plebejus pylaon

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Switzerland, June 2006

Switzerland, June 2006

Switzerland, June 2006

Switzerland, June 2006

Switzerland, June 2005

Switzerland, June 2005

Switzerland, June 2003, on the foodplant

Mating pair, Switzerland, June 2003

Male, Switzerland, June 2003

Female, Switzerland, June 2003

Male, Switzerland, June 2003

These are all subspecies trappi, which flies in Switzerland and has broader dark borders to the male upperside than the nominate subspecies. All forms of the species can be separated from the similar idas, silver-studded and Reverdin's blues by the generally larger size and the absence of silver scaling in the submarginal black lunules on the underside of the hindwing (though in fact it looks quite different from them in the flesh when you get your eye in). It is also often found on its foodplant, Astragalus exscapus, though males may wander to communal drinking spots and may also be seen on other nectar-bearing flowers.

The subspecies trappi is often - perhaps usually now - regarded as a separate species (indeed, many authors count three or four species in the group formerly known as Zephyr blue). In Switzerland it is very local but often common if you know where to look. In June 2006 I found many individuals spread out over quite a large area, with large numbers in some spots.