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Pyrgus cacaliae (Rambur, [1839])   

 

Female, Rila Mts.

Range: Alpine, endemic to Europe (Pyrenees, Alps, S Carpathians, the highest mountains of Bulgaria).

Distribution in Bulgaria: Rila and N Pirin between 1800 and 2800 m a.s.l.; old records from Vitosha and Stara Planina need confirmation, as the species has not been found there by recent collecting efforts.

Habitat: Dry alpine grassland and screes on slopes, wet grassy places around lakes and streams.

Bionomics: One generation from July till August. Larval host-plant: Potentilla (Rosaceae) (Tolman & Lewington 1997).

Conservation status: A local species with very limited Bulgarian as well as total range. IUCN category: Vulnerable. Its inclusion into the Red Data Book of Bulgaria is herewith recommended.