Butterflies of Bulgaria - Plebeius bellargus

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Plebeius bellargus (Rottemburg, 1775)
Name in Tolman & Lewington (1997): Lysandra bellargus

Systematics: In nature occasionally cross-breeds with the next species, producing sterile hybrids of intermediate appearance. Such male hybrids have been described as polonus Zeller, 1845, which is treated by some authors even nowadays as a full species. Despite both bellargus and coridon being widespread and common in Bulgaria, I only know of two such hybrids from the country, both collected by myself.

Range: S and partly C Europe, Asia Minor.

Distribution in Bulgaria: Widespread from sea level to ca. 1800 m.

Habitat: Dry grassy rocky, stony or sandy places, usually in calcareous terrain.

Bionomics: Two generations from May till September. Larval host-plants: Hippocrepis comosa and Coronilla varia (Fabaceae) (Tolman & Lewington 1997).

Conservation status: Of no concern. IUCN category: Lower risk, least concern.

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	Systematics: In nature occasionally cross-breeds with the next species, producing sterile hybrids of intermediate appearance. Such male hybrids have been described as polonus Zeller, 1845, which is treated by some authors even nowadays as a full species. Despite both bellargus and coridon being widespread and common in Bulgaria, I only know of two such hybrids from the country, both collected by myself. Range: S and partly C Europe, Asia Minor. Distribution in Bulgaria: Widespread from sea level to ca. 1800 m. Habitat: Dry grassy rocky, stony or sandy places, usually in calcareous terrain. Bionomics: Two generations from May till September. Larval host-plants: Hippocrepis comosa and Coronilla varia (Fabaceae) (Tolman & Lewington 1997). Conservation status: Of no concern. IUCN category: Lower risk, least concern.

Plebeius bellargus (Rottemburg, 1775)