Polyommatus firdussii (Forster, 1956)  
 Firdussi's Blue, Голубянка фирдуси, Ֆիրդուսի կապտաթիթեռ

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
​The species is distributed in Armenia, Turkey, and Northern Iran. In Armenia the species occurs in calcareous mountain steppes and Juniper woodlands dominated by Onobrychis cornuta - the host plant of Firdussi's Blue. The elevation range occupied by the species is from 1500 to 2500 m a.s.l. The species gives one generation per year, the butterflies are on wing from mid June till mid July, depending on elevation. Firdussi's Blue occur in several populations which are completely isolated from each other, which could be the reason of different phenotypes of populations from Northern Armenia, Lake Sevan, Central Armenia, and South Eastern part of the country; these isolated populations might be a subject of taxonomic study.

Population dynamics:
The species is slightly uncommon within typical habitat, but the population trend during 2003-2013 demonstrates stability. The host plant - Onobrychis cornuta is a thorny bush, which is not consumable for livestock, which makes it surviving even in some strongly grazed areas. That bush has an ability of easy burning, which makes it vulnerable, since kids from rural communities often burn it for fun, and shepherds use it as an easy fire in the field. In addition, there is a small scale trade of the species. 

Conservation measures: 
The species is not evaluated for International, European, and Armenian Red Lists, as well as not included in the annexes of CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary evaluation of its conservation status suggests it as a Least Concern. The habitats of the species are partly covered by Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Lake Sevan National Park, Zangezur Biosphere Complex, and Gnishik Protected Landscape; the North-western population is covered by Emerald Site Jajur. The species is presented in several Prime Butterfly Areas, such as Gyumorats, Kajaran, Gnisheek, Ourtsadzor, and Artanish-Shorzha. Although the population trend of the species is stable, there is a necessity of environmental education campaign in rural communities, related to introducing responsible behavior outdoor. This is especially important, because such small fire can become a big disaster, like happen in 2017, when Armenia faced three large scale fires of forest and juniper woodlands.

Photo: K. Aghababyan