Despite being widespread and fairly common on the continent, this butterfly is extinct in the British Isles. It was found in the southern half of England - although those found on the coast are assumed to be immigrants and those found inland are considered to be either accidental or deliberate introductions. This species was first mentioned as British in 1710 and there are several hundred sightings recorded up until the late 19th century. Various dates are given for the last sighting, although all are linked with a particular region. The end of the 19th century seems to mark a watershed, after which there are very few records. This species is extinct in the British Isles. One possible cause of the extinction is changes to haymaking which resulted in clovers being inadvertently cut while this species was still in its immature stages. Subspecies: Cyaniris semiargus semiargus The nominate subspecies was first defined in Rottemburg (1775) as shown here (type locality: Germany). The population in the British Isles is represented by this subspecies.
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![Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 (3) [Guy Padfield]](image_generator.php?src=phpBB/gallery/images/cache/1a7918cf0bf643f1e75390fe043f7930.jpg&r=223&g=246&b=216 "Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 (3) [Guy Padfield]") |
Female Underside
Photo © Guy Padfield |
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There was one brood each year in the British Isles, with adults flying from mid-June through to mid-July. Subspecies: Cyaniris semiargus semiargus 
On the continent, this species can be one of the commonest species seen - and one that will turn up in any flowery meadow in southern and eastern Europe. It can also be found at both low and high altitude - up to 2000m. In all locations, it is considered to have one brood each year.
The primary larval foodplant is Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).
Description to be completed
It is believed that this species formed discrete colonies in the British Isles, as it does on the continent. Subspecies: Cyaniris semiargus semiargus
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![Mazarine Blue - imago - Dolomites, Italy - 01-Jul-08 [Jules Cross]](image_generator.php?src=phpBB/gallery/images/cache/36a464c07b082c293ac96088e08c1a59.jpg&r=223&g=246&b=216 "Mazarine Blue - imago - Dolomites, Italy - 01-Jul-08 [Jules Cross]") |
Photo © Jules Cross
01-Jul-2008 |
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Description to be completed. Unclassified Aberrations
Eggs are typically laid singly, deep in the flower heads of Red Clover. They resemble miniature sea urchins and are a pure white. The egg hatches after 1 or 2 weeks.
On emerging from the egg, the larva proceeds to feed within the flower heads of the foodplant. This species overwinters while still a young larva. The larva resumes feeding on shoots of clover the following spring.
This stage lasts approximately 3 weeks.
No similar species found.
No sites found.
This species is extinct and no conservation action is relevant.
The following links provide additional information on this butterfly.
The species description provided here has been derived from the author's own observations and the information contained in the following works:
- Asher (2001). Asher, J., Warren, M., Fox, R., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G. and Jeffcoate, S.: The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. 2001.
- Fox (2006). Fox, R., Asher, J., Brereton, T., Roy, D. and Warren, M.: The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. 2006.
- Frohawk (1914). Frohawk, F.W.: A Natural History of British Butterflies. 1914.
- Howarth (1973). Howarth, T.G.: South's British Butterflies. 1973.
- Nash (2012). Nash, D., Boyd, T. and Hardiman, D.: Ireland's Butterflies: A Review. 2012.
- Riley (2007). Riley, A.M.: British and Irish Butterflies: The Complete Identification, Field and Site Guide to the Species, Subspecies and Forms. 2007.
- South (1906). South, R.: The Butterflies Of The British Isles. 1906.
- Thomas & Lewington (2010). Thomas, J. and Lewington, R.: The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Edn.2. 2010.
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![Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 (3) [Guy Padfield]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/1a7918cf0bf643f1e75390fe043f7930.jpg "Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 (3) [Guy Padfield]")
![Mazarine Blue - imago - Bukk Hills, Hungary - 05-Jun-05 [Tim Norriss]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/9b03307551e9bf20d82ca8e6a9da19fa.jpg "Mazarine Blue - imago - Bukk Hills, Hungary - 05-Jun-05 [Tim Norriss]")
![Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jul-05 [Guy Padfield]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/8385a4598a683826da3197b0bc8724a1.jpg "Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jul-05 [Guy Padfield]")
![Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 [Guy Padfield]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/2087754305b0887c67ea7cd84c98062b.jpg "Mazarine Blue - imago - Switzerland - Jun-06 [Guy Padfield]")
![Mazarine Blue - imago - Dolomites, Italy - 01-Jul-08 [Jules Cross]](phpBB/gallery/images/upload/36a464c07b082c293ac96088e08c1a59.jpg "Mazarine Blue - imago - Dolomites, Italy - 01-Jul-08 [Jules Cross]")
