Polyommatus cramera (Eschscholtz, 1821)

Host plants:
The species feeds on Cistaceae and Geraniaceae. In La Gomera, I observed oviposition on Erodium sp.

Habitat:
Polyommatus cramera colonized dry slopes, roadsides, embankments in dry forests and other warm dry locations. In La Palma, I found moths on more humid pastures between forest patches on which grew frequently Erodium.

Life cycle:
Polyommatus cramera occurs in Europe in several generations between April and October. In north Africa and the Canary Islands, it flies all year round. I met butterflies in La Gomera in December 2009.

Endangerment factors:
Polyommatus cramera is threatened in total only slightly. In the Canaries, it suffers from mass tourism, which an increasing number of habitats fall victim.

Remarks:
Polyommatus cramera is closely related to Polyommatus agestis. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and in north Africa. They can also be found on the western Canary Islands from Gran Canaria.