Distribution
and biological peculiarities in Armenia: The species is widely distributed from Western Europe across Central Asia to the Eastern China and Japan. Armenia is inhabited by nominate subspecies argiades. Host plants are legume plants including Lotus sp. In Armenia the species is found in only two locations of Meghri region, where it inhabits mostly riparian forest and scrubs and associated orchards. Elevation range inhabited by species is from 600 to 900 m a.s.l. Flight period lasts from late April to mid and sometimes late September in three and in some years even four generations.
Population dynamics: The first specimens of the species have been collected in 1984, and after the species was not recorded for a long period of time, mostly due to remoteness of Meghri region from the capital of Armenia. Next records of the species belong to 2008, when the orchards and riparian scrubs have been included into the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. The current data is not sufficient yet for calculation of trend, however according to the existing records it can be stated that the species can be considered as uncommon and less abundant but not rare. The rigorous terrain of the region influences the current practice of horticulture and supports building of a mosaic structure of orchards, which provide sufficient habitat for the species. However intensification of horticulture, which includes increased use of pesticides, and expansion of the agricultural lands can result in habitat degradation and species decline. Another indirect threat can come from livestock husbandry with increased hay-making in the orchards, which is at current makes low burden on the vegetation.
Conservation measures: The species has not been evaluated for IUCN Red List yet, also it was not evaluated for Red Book of Animals of Armenia, and is not listed in CITES and Bern Conventions. However it is included in the European Red List of Butterflies as Least Concern. Preliminary assessment of the species for the National Red List, allows suggesting its conservation status as Vulnerable. The first most important steppe for the species conservation is implementation of the formal assessment of the species for National Red List, and its acceptance. Then it will be necessary to develop the Action Plan for the species that should include design of requirements to management of orchards in the areas of species distribution, and development of a program aimed at providing assistance to farmers who introduces species friendly methods of horticulture. Inclusion of species distribution areas into wildlife observation tours, can draw additional attention to conservation of species habitat, that will result in raising of farmers' awareness and will become a source of supplemental income.