Pyrgus armoricanus, male, Aggtelek, Hungary – Peter Bruce-Jones
Introduction
There are about 50 known species in the genus Pyrgus, which has representatives in North, Central and South America, and in temperate Asia, as well as in Europe. The genus is instantly recognisable from the pattern of squarish white spots on a grizzled greyish ground colour, and by the prominent chequered fringes to the wings. All Pyrgus males have the basal half of the forewing costa folded back. Within the fold are hundreds of specialised scales called androconia, from which pheromones are disseminated to entice females into copulation.
Pyrgus armoricanus is a common species found in the Atlas mountains of Morocco and Algeria, and is widespread across Europe and temperate Asia.
Habitats
This species inhabits dry grassy hillsides where there is an abundance of flowers.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Potentilla, Fragaria and Helianthemum ( Rosaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Males aggregate with other Pyrgus species at the edges of puddles, ditches and shallow streams. Both sexes nectar at a wide range of flowers, favouring Thymus and Achillea.