Spanish Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra albicans)

Photo © Kars Veling

Family	Lycaenidae
Subfamily	Polyommatinae
Genus	Lysandra
Species	albicans
Authority	(Gerhard, 1851)
English Name	Spanish Chalkhill Blue

European Red List 2010	Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 Red List 2010	Least Concern (LC)
European Red List 2025	Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 Red List 2025	Least Concern (LC)
Habitats Directive
Bern Convention
CITES

Description

The Spanish Chalkhill Blue can be seen in dry, calcareous rocky places with grassy vegetation, and in dry, open scrub. Its most important foodplant is Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa), although H. multisiliquosa is possibly also used. The female lays her eggs on the leaves. The caterpillars are often found accompanied by Tapinoma ants. This butterfly species is single-brooded.

Distribution

Spain / Spain: Mainland /

Larval Foodplants