Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: The species is distributed in Asia Minor, Transcaucasia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Western China. Armenia is inhabited by subspecies E. a. ahriman (Christoph, 1884). The species is distributed in Central and Southern regions of the country; it is inhabiting riparian scrubs and woodlands, located in arid zone, as well as the mosaic orchards situated in rigorous terrain. The elevation range occupied by the species is from 375 to about 1,700 m a.s.l. The host plant of Alcides Skipper in Armenia is Fragmites australis; oviposition is on the leaves. At the lowlands the species gives two generations per year, while at the upper range of the species distribution, it has only one annual generation. In lowlands the butterflies are on wing from mid May till late September, while at the upper range of its distribution the flight period is restricted from mid June to late July. Population dynamics: The species is quite rare within typical habitat, and its population trend in 2003-2013 demonstrates stability (p>0.05). Even taking the low number of the species into consideration, there is obvious difference between the species occurrence in the natural riparian habitat and the transformed habitats, like orchards in Meghri district of Armenia. It appears, that at current the species has adapted to the existing conditions (already transformed in 1970-1980s), and is not suffering anymore. In the same time - the difference in species density in the transformed and non-transformed habitats shows its quite vulnerability.
Conservation measures: The species is not included in the Global, European, and National Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary evaluation of its conservation status for Armenia suggests it as Near Threatened. The species is partly protected in Khosrov Forest State Reserve and Gnishik Protected Landscaper, also its distribution is partly covered by Zangezur Emerald Site. The Alcide Skipper is presented in Meghri, Agarak, Shvanidzor, Gnisheek, and Ourtsadzor Prime Butterfly Areas. The proposed conservation measures for this habitat specialist species are related to development of mechanisms which can secure prevention of transformation of the fragile riparian habitats. Thus every project related to development of new garden in the riparian zone should have to pass a serious assessment process. In addition, it might be helpful to develop and distribute a concept of mosaic structures of the orchards, which can secure proper number of pollinators, and therefore be mutually beneficial for the biodiversity and the business. Also it is important to continue the monitoring of Alcides Skipper's population as an indicator of riparian scrubs and woodlands.