Pseudochazara pelopea (Klug, 1832) Persian Grayling, Бархатница пелопея, Պելոպեա
Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: The species is distributed in Lebanon, Turkey, Caucasus and Transcaucasia, Syria, and Kopet-Dagh. Armenia is inhabited by subspecies P. p. persica (Christoph, 1877), which is living South-western, Southern, and South-eastern regions of the country, occupying semi-deserts, juniper and oak woodlands and mountain steppes at the elevations between 800 and 2000 m a.s.l. The species uses several Graminea as larval host plants. It flies in one generation per year, from mid June till late August.
Population dynamics: The species is usually somewhat common (sometimes can be considered as uncommon) within the typical habitat. It shows stable population trend during 2003-2013 (p>0.05), so apparently the Persian Grayling has some adaptability, which helps the species to survive in the intensively grazed areas.
Conservation measures: The species is not included in the Global, European, and National Red Lists, as well as in appendices of CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary assessment of its national conservation status suggests Least Concern. Distribution range of the Persian Grayling is covered by several protected areas, Emerald Sites, and Prime Butterfly Areas. At current it appears that there is no necessity for development of special conservation measures, but it is important to conduct the monitoring of the species, for early determination of the changes in its population trend.