About Lycaeides idas (Linnaeus, 1761)
This species, currently classified as Lycaeides idas (Linnaeus, 1761) and also referenced as Plebejus idas, has a wingspan ranging from 17 to 28 mm. It displays considerable variation in color and patterning across individuals. Males have iridescent blue on the upper surface of their wings, while females have brown upper wings marked with orange submarginal spots. The underside of the wings is greyish with black spots, a thin black line and small dots along the outer margin. A fairly large orange band containing blue spots is also present along these outer margins. Lycaeides idas is very similar in appearance to Plebejus argus, the silver studded blue, and Plebejus argyrognomon, the Reverdin's blue. Males of this species lack a hook on the forelegs, a feature that is present in male Plebejus argus. This species occurs across most of Europe, excluding parts of Spain, southern Italy, and the United Kingdom. It is also found in northern regions of the Palearctic realm, including Siberia, the mountains of South Siberia, and Yakutia, as well as in the Nearctic realm. It typically lives in grassy flower-rich areas, mixed evergreen forests, and wet meadows, and can be found up to alpine elevations between 200 and 2,100 metres (660 to 6,890 feet) above sea level.
