Marisclore Common Blue or Spotted Adonis?

[Pete Withers]

I saw this one in the Sousse area of Tunisia last week and think it's a Spotted Adonis?

Any people think otherwise?

[Padfield]

Hi Pete. The two-tone fringes on the upperside, dark inside, light outside, would seem to rule out (subgenus) Lysandra. I would therefore go for a beautifully blue female common blue.

Guy

[Pete Withers]

Thanks Guy, a stunning individual it was

Pete

[bugboy]

Quick question, I've never heard of the Spotted Adonis Blue and a quick google search comes up with just the regular Adonis. Does it go by another common name and whats it's scientific name? Thanks

[Pete Eeles]

Not sure of the taxonomic status, but this will help with Googling:

http://www.eurobutterflies.com/sp/punctifera.php

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

The scientific name is Polyommatus (Lysandra) punctifera and it is a North African close relative of the adonis blue.

Guy

[bugboy]

Thank you Guy(s)

[Pieter Vantieghem]

Common blues of N-Africa (and locally in S-Europe) have recently been split off as Polyommatus celina: http://www.biodiversidadvirtual.com/tax ... ticulo.pdf

[Pete Withers]

Thank you Pieter, for such good information!