Polyommatus thersites Cantener, 1835  
Chapman's blue, Kleiner Esparsetten-Blauling, Azure de l'esparcette, Голубянка терсит, Թերզիթ կապտաթիթեռ

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is distributed in South Europe, Lebanon, Asia Minor, Iran and Tian Shan. In Armenia, the nominate subspecies is recorded occupying wide variety of grasslands throughout the country. The elevation range occupied by the species is from 800 to 2400 m a.s.l. The species uses various Onobrychis  as the host plant. It gives two to three generations per year and the butterflies are recorded on wing from mid April till late October.

Population dynamics:
The species is slightly uncommon within its typical habitat and demonstrates stable population trend in 2003-2013 (p>0.05). Although the species is food specialist at some extent, it appears that it can switch between host-plants and tolerated overgrazing and uncontrolled mowing conditions. 

Conservation measures: 
The species is not included in the Global and Armenian Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Conventions but is assessed for European Red List as a Least Concern - the same status that is proposed at the National level. Its distribution is largely covered by Protected Areas, Emerald Sites and Prime Butterfly Areas, and it appears that there is non need for other conservation measures to be developed, however it is important to continue the monitoring of its population trend as the food specialist.  

Photo: C.R. Pape