Mountain Argus
Common NameMountain Argus
Scientific NameAricia artaxerxes
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyPolyommatinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, grey
HabitatMoorland, heathland, rocky slopes, mountainous areas
Geographic RangeNorthern Europe (e.g., Scotland, Scandinavia), parts of central Europe
Host Plantsheather, bell heather, rock-rose
Flight PeriodJune to August
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesOverwinters as a larva, typically feeding on heather or rock-rose. Pupation occurs in spring, leading to a single brood of adults emerging in summer.
Identification TipsLook for the dark brown upperside with a distinct row of orange submarginal spots and a white fringe. The underside is greyish with black spots ringed in white and a band of orange spots near the margin.
Description
A small, dark brown butterfly with a prominent row of orange spots along the wing margins on the upperside, and a greyish underside adorned with black spots ringed in white and a submarginal band of orange.
