Geranium Argus (Eumedonia eumedon)
Species

Male. Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 24th 2018.
(1/400th sec at f11. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Polyommatinae

Wing span: 26 - 30mm

Both sexes of the Geranium Argus have brown upper surfaces with white fringes. The female has faint orange lunules on the hindwing. There is a white streak on the underside.

It is widespread through much of Europe, but most common in the east and north. It is absent from the Atlantic coast, and is sporadic in the Mediterranean region.

Typical habitats are woodland clearings and margins and damp grassland with scrub, usually at low altitudes, but can be up to 2400m on alpine meadows.

There is one generation between May and August, depending on locality and altitude.

The larvae feed on a range of cranesbills (Geranium spp).

Sightings

24-Jul-2018 : Vercors Natural Park, France

10-Jun-2017 : Velebits National Park, Croatia