www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

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

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

Thanks Guy, a stunning individual it was

Pete

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

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

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

Cheers,

- Pete

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

Guy

Thank you Guy(s)

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

Thank you Pieter, for such good information!