Northern Brown Argus

Aricia artaxerxes

Checklist Number
61.016 [B&F: 1573]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Lycaenidae
Subfamily:Polyommatinae
Genus:Aricia
Species:artaxerxes
Authority:(Fabricius, 1793)

A vulnerable Red Data Book species, in flower meadows, rocky areas in mountains and sand-dunes; 0-350 m (1400-2200 m in Europe), down to sea level in the far north in parts of northern England and Scotland; Fennoscandia and southern Europe. Unlikely to be recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 22-32 mm. Larva feeds on Common Rock-rose, subsequently living underground where attended by ants.