About Pseudophilotes abencerragus (Pierret, 1837)
Pseudophilotes abencerragus, commonly known as the false baton blue, is a butterfly species belonging to the family Lycaenidae. This species is distributed on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in North Africa, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Its wingspan measures between 18 and 22 mm. It is extremely similar in appearance to Pseudophilotes baton, but differs in that the reddish yellow submarginal band is absent from the underside of the hindwing. The underside of the hindwing of P. abencerragus has a purer, paler dusty grey tint, with distinct but very thin ocelli, while its upperside is very uniform in colour. Adult butterflies are on wing from April to May. Its larvae feed on Cleonia lusitanica, Thymus vulgaris, Medicago cf. turbinata, Medicago hispidus, Thymus cf. hirtus, Salvia taraxacifolia, and Thymus fontanesii. This butterfly inhabits dry scrub habitats.
