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Everes decoloratus

Eastern Short-tailed Blue

Field Notes

Cluj, Romania, May 2009

Cluj, Romania, June 2006

Right at the end of the flight period. Black cell spot on the forewing is visible.

Cluj, Romania, June 2006

Cluj, Romania, June 2006

Female

I've found this species in Greece and in Slovakia and now Romania. It is local but common in these countries. It seems to like clearings and roadside verges in forests at moderate altitudes. It flies in several broods during the spring summer and autumn.

It is one of Europe's three Short Tailed Blues. It has the most restricted range being confined to the east of the region. The three species are distinguished as follows:

· Short Tailed Blue, E. argiades - the only one with distinct orange marks on the underside hindwing. Larger than the other two species. Most widespread. Central Europe and N Spain. Violet blue upperside in the male.

· Provençal Short Tailed Blue, E. alcetas - smaller, no orange markings, patchy distribution from N Spain and across southern Europe, upperside forewing without black cell spot. Truer blue upperside in the male.

· Eastern Short Tailed Blue, E. decoloratus - as E. alcetas but eastern distribution and extending further north into central Europe (e.g. Slovakia) with distinct upperside forewing black cell spot in the male. Violet blue upperside in the male. Tail is very short, apparently not present in some examples

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