Unknown Blue

[selbypaul]

Hi folks
The two photos show a butterfly I took photos of on Mount Chelmos in Southern Greece in mid June this year. At the time, I just thought it was an aberrant Blue of some sort. I still think it probably is. But I can't be sure.

I've considered it being a Chequered Blue, as the colours of the underside are similar. But the topside doesn't give a hint of that.

I've also considered Bavius Blue and Reverdins Blue, or at least aberations of them. Alternatively, I've wondered about aberrant Eastern Brown Argus.

Any ideas from anyone else? Thanks in advance
Paul

[David M]

Is that a stonecrop or a vetch she's ovipositing on, Paul?

Sedum is the LHP of Chequered Blue whilst I believe Reverdin's preferred choice is crown vetch.

[Mikhail]

I think this is the taxon that, depending on which checklist you favour, is either Kretania or Plebejus or Plebejides sephirus or brethertoni. One of the Zephyr blues in the pylaon group. Help!!!

M.

[selbypaul]

Is that a stonecrop or a vetch she's ovipositing on, Paul?

Sedum is the LHP of Chequered Blue whilst I believe Reverdin's preferred choice is crown vetch.

I'm not entirely sure what the plant is. Don't think it was a Sedum though. It's definitely more like a vetch, but not sure it actually was

[Padfield]

It's difficult enough placing 'typical' Plebejus butterflies, let alone aberrants like this. I agree with Mikhail that the taxon variously known as Plebejus/Kretania sephirus/sephirus brethertoni/pylaon brethertoni/brethertoni is a strong candidate and is known from Mt Chelmos (in fact, that's its type locality). Pamperis notes that brethertoni may have blue in the submarginal dark spots, as this individual appears to have. Brethertoni uses milk vetch as a foodplant (as do all the Kretania group).

Do you have any photos of non-aberrant blues flying in the same area?

Guy

PS - eurypilus (Eastern brown argus) is doubtfully recorded from Mt Chelmos according to Pamperis - i.e., there is at least one doubtful record.

[selbypaul]

It's difficult enough placing 'typical' Plebejus butterflies, let alone aberrants like this. I agree with Mikhail that the taxon variously known as Plebejus/Kretania sephirus/sephirus brethertoni/pylaon brethertoni/brethertoni is a strong candidate and is known from Mt Chelmos (in fact, that's its type locality). Pamperis notes that brethertoni may have blue in the submarginal dark spots, as this individual appears to have. Brethertoni uses milk vetch as a foodplant (as do all the Kretania group).

Do you have any photos of non-aberrant blues flying in the same area?

Guy

PS - eurypilus (Eastern brown argus) is doubtfully recorded from Mt Chelmos according to Pamperis - i.e., there is at least one doubtful record.

Thanks Guy, and all the others.
My main focus that day on the slopes of Mount Chelmos was photographing the Odd Spot Blue and Chelmos Blue, both of which this aberrant definately isn't! So I didn't take too many other photos. Other than of the attached Zephyr Blue, does that help
Best Wishes
Paul

[Padfield]

That seems to me to be brethertoni - though Mikhail is the expert on the Balkans - so confirms they were flying there and then. Whether it's counted as a separate species from sephirus and/or pylaon is not for me to judge but the taxon itself seems well enough defined by its chromosome number. The zephyr blue complex is highly fragmented - and complex!

Guy

[selbypaul]

That seems to me to be brethertoni - though Mikhail is the expert on the Balkans - so confirms they were flying there and then. Whether it's counted as a separate species from sephirus and/or pylaon is not for me to judge but the taxon itself seems well enough defined by its chromosome number. The zephyr blue complex is highly fragmented - and complex!

Guy

Indeed, I've done some reading online about the Zephyr's, since your post, and you're right, it is complex!

Still complete guesswork about the aberrant then!

[Kip]

I'd go with aberrant Zephyr Blue female... I saw the species favouring the same plant in Turkey and this is a female upperside... looks similar enough to me.

[selbypaul]

Thanks Kip. That's very helpful. I'll settle on aberrant female Zephyr Blue!