| Family | Lycaenidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Polyommatinae |
| Genus | Polyommatus |
| Species | escheri |
| Authority | (Hübner, [1823]) |
| English Name | Escher's 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 |
Escher’s Blue occurs on dry, and flower-rich grassland, damp rough vegetation, in flower-rich rocky places, on scrub and at woodland edges, and on agricultural land. The females lay their eggs singly on milk-vetches (Astragalus spp.), in particular A. monspessulanus. Qxytropis helvetica may also be a foodplant. When still small, the caterpillar goes into hibernation, and in the spring completes its growth, feeding on the leaves and flowerbuds of the foodplants. When fully grown, it leaves the foodplant and pupates under stones. Both caterpillars and pupae are attended by ants of different genera including Myrmica, Formica, Lasius and Plagiolepis. Escher’s Blue is single-brooded. It hibernates as a larva.
Albania / Andorra / Bosnia and Herzegovina / Bulgaria / Croatia / France / France: Mainland / Greece / Greece: Mainland / Italy / Italy: Mainland / North Macedonia / Montenegro / Slovenia / Spain / Spain: Mainland / Switzerland / European Türkiye (Regionally Extinct) /