Colias erate (Esper, 1805)  
Pale Clouded Yellow, Citrin (papillon), Желтушка эрата, Էրաթե դեղնաթիթեռ. 

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is found from South-eastern Europe, through Turkey over Central Asia up to Japan and Taiwan. South, its range stretches to Somalia and Ethiopia. Armenia is inhabited by nominate subspecies, which is found in semi-desert areas of Central Armenia, so far in only one spot. The elevation range occupied by the species is from 1000 and 1500 m a.s.l. Although rather wide variety of host plants are listed for the species throughout its distribution range, in Armenia it has not been proven yet. The scarce records of the species suggest two generations per annum from mid April, till early July. 

Population dynamics:
The species is quite rare within typical habitat, and the existing data is still insufficient for calculation of its population trend. It is assumed that the overgrazing can potentially harm the species, basically because the areas are intensively used by Kurdish shepherds for sheep and cattle grazing. However, the real influence of the grazing on the species has not been studied in deep. 

Conservation measures: 
Despite the fact that it was evaluated for the European Red List as a Least Concern, for Armenia it deserves a status of Data Deficient. Beside the obvious necessity of further studies of Pale Clouded Yellow in Armenia, it is necessary to begin protection of the area, which has to start from its designation as Prime Butterfly Area, with further inclusion into Emerald Network and eventually with development of the management plan for the area. Supposedly, some habitat friendly grazing schemes have to be developed and launched, however more precisely it would be possible to conclude after appropriate study.

Photo: V. Tikhonov