Polyommatus eurypilus (Freyer, 1852)

Host plants:
The larvae feed on spiny dwarf shrubs of Astragalus (partly also listed in the genus Astracantha).

Habitat:
Polyommatus eurypilus inhabits the region of spiny cushion plants in the mountains from 1000m (Samos: Mount Kerkis), on Mount Taygetos mainly above 1700m (partly much higher in Asia).

Life cycle:
The larva hibernates and is mature according to the altitude between April and June. Best larval habitats are small, low-growing plants or plants that are growing next to rocks. I recorded larvae in the final instar on Mount Taygetos in 2050m on 08. of June 2021. The butterflies occur between May and August. They have been not so rare in 2000 m on Mount Taygetos in early August 2019.

Remarks:
In Greece, Polyommatus eurypilus occurs only on Mount Taygetos (S-Peloponnese) and Mount Kerkis on Samos Island. Polyommatus eurypilus is more widespread from Turkey across Transcaucasia to N-Iran.