Albulina loewii (Zeller, 1847)  
Large Jewel Blue, Голубянка лёва, Լյովի կապտաթիթեռ

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is found in Asia Minor, Kurdistan, Caucaus, Middle East, Iran - Chitral, and Turkestan. Armenia is inhabited by nominate subspecies, which occurs in calcareous grasslands of Central and Southern parts of the country at the elevation range from 1000 to 2200 m a.s.l. The caterpillar is fount at various Astragalus species, such as Astragalus spinosus, A. sieberi, and some others. The species gives one generation per year and the butterflies are recorded on wing from early June till late July.

Population dynamics:
The species is uncommon to rare within typical habitat, but its population trend in 2003-2013 shows stability (p>0.05). It appears that ability of the species to switch between host plants plays the essential role in adapting under pressure of grazing.  

Conservation measures: 
The species is not included in the Global, European, and National Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary assessment of its conservation status for Armenia suggests it as Least Concern. At current its distribution range is partly covered by Gnishik Protected Landscape and Khosrov Forest State Reserve, as well as by the overlapping Emerald Sites. The Large Jewel Blue is presented in Gnisheek, Ourtsadzor, and Geghadir Prime Butterfly Areas. It appears that there is no need to develop special conservation measures for the species, however, its monitoring is very important for tracking further population trend of such habitat specialist. It should also be mentioned that the species is a desirable object for butterfly-watchers, and can play a significant role in development of that niche tourism.

Photo: C.R. Pape