| Family | Lycaenidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Polyommatinae |
| Genus | Aricia |
| Species | nicias |
| Authority | (Meigen, 1829) |
| English Name | Silvery Argus |
| 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 |
The Silvery Argus occurs on flower-rich grasslands with some bushes or trees, in grass along the hedges, at the edge of woodland, and in sunny, grassy woodland clearings. The grassland on which the Silvery Argus occurs is usually damp with rather tall vegetation, but it is also seen on dry grassland. The female lays her eggs on the flowers of Wood Crane’s-bill (Geranium sylvaticum) and Meadow Crane’s-bill (G. pratense). The caterpillars eat the leaves as well as the flowers. They are attended by ants. This butterfly hibernates as a larva, but in Scandinavia it is said to overwinter in the egg stage.
Andorra / Finland / France / France: Mainland / Italy / Italy: Mainland / Norway / European Russia / Spain / Spain: Mainland / Sweden / Switzerland /