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Pseudophilotes (bavius) fatma

Fatma's (Bavius) Blue

Field Notes

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Peter Rowlings

Middle Atlas, Morocco, May 1998

 

Peter Rowlings

Middle Atlas, Morocco, May 1998

 

This is an excellent species - stunning, rare and extremely localised. It occurs only in two small areas of north Africa, one area of FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and a couple of mountains in Romania and Greece. The north African subspecies fatma is arguably the brightest and most beautiful with more extensive orange and blue on the upperside. Some authors consider the subspecies fatma to be distinct species. Looking at the wing markings alone and it does look rather different from the Greek specimens I've also photographed.

Our specimen above was one of only 3 we found in a rough dry grassy area bordering the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains. They were flying in May and we had the impression they were fairly early in their season. The books would suggest we were nearing the end of their season but very cold weather on our arrival in mid May probably prolonged their flight time.

 

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