Satyrus amasinus (Staudinger, 1861)  
Amasian Satyr, Бархатница амасийская, Ամասյան սատիր

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
This monotypic species is distributed in Asia Minor, Middle East, and Transcaucasia. It inhabits Southern and South-eastern regions of the country, occupying upper parts of semi-deserts, juniper woodlands, and mountain steppes at the elevation range from 800 to 2200 m a.s.l. The information about its biology is rather scarce: it is supposed that the species uses some Stipa sp. as the host plant. The Amasian Satyr gives one generation per year, its earliest butterflies have been recorded on wing in mid May, while the latest ones have been found in early July. 

Population dynamics:
In some patches of its distribution, the species is rear to uncommon, while in the others it is quite common within a typical habitat. It demonstrates stable population trend during 2003-2013, despite the fact that overgrazing could obviously be a threat to the species. 

Conservation measures: 
The species is not included in the Global, European, and National Red Lists, as well as in the CITES and Bern Conventions. Preliminary assessment of its conservation status for Armenia suggests it as a Least Concern. At current the species' distribution range is partly covered by Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Gnishik Protected Landscape, and Zangezur Biosphere reserve, as well as in the Emerald Sites located in those reserves, while some patches of its distribution are located in community pastureland. Also the species is presented in Prime Butterfly Areas: Agarak, Gudemnis, Meghri, Kaladash, Shvanidzor, Gnisheek, and Ourtsadzor. It doesn't appear that at current the Amasian Satyr requires special conservation measures, however it is important to continue its monitoring in Armenia.

Photo: A. Danchenko