Zephyr Blue

Plebejus pylaon

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Male underside, subspecices trappi, Switzerland

Male upperside, subspecices trappi, Switzerland

Male upperside, subspecices trappi, Switzerland

Female upperside, trappi

Pair mating, trappi, Switzerland

These pictures all show subspecies trappi, which flies in Switzerland near the Simplon Pass. It is like a large silver-studded blue, except that there are no silver studs on the underside hindwing and the dark marks inside the orange submarginal lunules are very arrow shaped and sharp. Other subspecies fly elsewhere in Europe, in France and Spain. All are characterised by the lack of silver-studs (separating them also from idas blue and Reverdin's blue).

I once thought I had photographed subspecies hespericus, from Spain, but correspondents assured me I was wrong and I believe them. The insect can be found HERE with my original commentary.