Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: The species is distributed in northern Africa, southern Spain, southern France, southern Europe, Asia Minor, Transcaucasia, and Iran. Armenia is inhabited by subspecies I.i. lessei Bernardi, 1964. In Armenia the species inhabits southernmost regions of the country, where occupies riparian zone of the semi-deserts and juniper woodlands, as well as dry mountain steppes and aridized edges of deciduous forests. The elevation range od the species' distribution is ranged from 800 to 1800 m a.s.l. Larvae of this carpophagus species feed on flowers and later on seeds of Colutea cilicica. The butterflies are on wing from mid May till mid (sometimes late) June in one generation.
Population dynamics: The species has patchy distribution and is rather rare within typical habitat. Its population trend during 2003-2013 demonstrates slight decline although not at the significant level (p>0.05) and therefore could be considered as stable, Nevertheless, it is important to track the trend further as in longer term it can demonstrate different pattern. The species is highly specialized and therefore is vulnerable, despite on the fact that the host plant is a bush with some level of resistance towards overgrazing. However the transformation of its habitats into orchards results in habitat destruction and therefore can significantly affect the population of the species.
Conservation measures: The species is not included in the Global and National Red Lists. In European Red Book Iolana Blue is listed as Near Threatened. Also Iolas Blue is not listed in Appendices of CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary assessment of the species' conservation status suggests it as Near Threatened. Distribution of the species is partly covered by Zangezur Biosphere Complex and is fully covered by Emerald Site Zangezur. The species is presented in Meghri, Gudemnis, and Gyumorats Prime Butterfly Areas. The proposed conservation measures include: (1) assessment of the species' conservation status for the next edition of Red Book of Animals of Armenia; (2) careful assessment of new orchard development projects; (3) designing of mosaic structure of the existing orchards aimed at allocation space for the natural habitats of Iolas Blue and other species; (4) careful application of pesticides for orchard pest control and ideally replacement of those with biological methods of pest control and development of concepts of eco-friendly agricultural products; and (5) continuation of its monitoring to track changes in the species' population.