Mazarine Blue - Klaverblauwtje

Mazarine Blue - Klaverblauwtje

Mazarine Blue

Klaverblauwtje

Cyaniris semiargus

Pictures: Teus Luijendijk

This is another rare member of the butterfly family of blues (Lycaenidae). It occurs in The Netherlands only in southern Limburg, in and around Maastricht. A site inside town (closed for the public) I had already visited several times in an attempt to catch a glimpse of this species, but in vain. It was on the nearby Sint Pietersberg, on a windy and quite cool sunday afternoon, that I found two worn males and a single female. The latter I initially identified as a Little Blue Cupido minimus, but as I had placed some close-focus pictures of this individual on this gallery, I was soon corrected by one of the Dutch butterfly specialists. The difference between these two species is sometimes really slight and one can obviously never rely on the size of the butterfly alone. The exact pattern of spots on the underside, on the other hand, is a much more reliable character.
Apparently the Mazarine Blues shown here were the last two remaining of a group of 12 individuals that was seen here the friday before. Nevertheless, I was quite relieved to finally see this beautiful species in my home country.

Mazarine Blue - Klaverblauwtje Cyaniris semiargus male; videograbs, contrast somewhat enhanced.
Sint Pietersberg, Maastricht Li, The Netherlands, 5 August 2001.

Mazarine Blue - Klaverblauwtje Cyaniris semiargus female; digital pictures.
Poppelmondedal, St. Pietersberg, Maastricht Li, The Netherlands, 28 May 2005.