Plebejus idas subsolanus (Eversmann, 1851)

Kosterin, Oleg E., 2023, Early summer aspect of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Republic of Khakassia as examined in 2000, with some additional data, Amurian Zoological Journal XV (2), pp. 325-354 : 344

Plebejus idas subsolanus (Eversmann, 1851)

Specimens: 1\NNE Parnaya, 11♂, 3♀; 2\NE Kopyovo, 18♂, 2♀; 3\NNE Kopyovo, 9♂, 2♀; 4\WNW Shira, 2♂; 7\Sonskiy, 3♂, 2♀; 8\Uybat, 7♂, 1♀; 11\Tashtyp, 25♂, 10♀;12\Dzhabash, 74♂ (from a large congregation).

Visual registrations: 10\Terensug, 1♂.

Remarks: This species was the main target of our expedition. Most male specimens had the UPS black border occupying not less than half of the wing lengths, so that in extreme cases the deep blue occupies about one third of the UPS total area ( Fig. 13 ), hence well representing the subspecies P. idas subsolanus ( Churkin, Zhdanko 2003; Gorbunov, Kosterin 2003). Yet that border was variable and in some specimens (e.g. in males from 7\Sonskiy and the only male seen at 10\Terensug) narrowed to 1–2 mm, as in the subspecies P. idas ongodai (Tutt, 1909) widespread in the Altai Mts ( Gorbunov, Kosterin 2003; Kosterin 2007). (Curiously, the holotype of that taxon had the wings as in P. idas subsolanus , being an aberration among males with the black border as narrow as ca 1.5 mm, which predominate overwhelmingly in Altai, see Churkin, Zhdanko (2003)).

The most variable male UPS, with the mentioned versions of the black border development, and intermediates, of comparable frequences, was observed by me in the Central Tuvinian Depression, on sands at Lake Khadyn; that population looked intermediate between subspecies ( Kosterin 2009).

Observations: Usually occurs together with the previous species, mostly on meadows with dominance of Vicia amoena and V. unijuga (but at 11\Tashtyp the imagines seemed to associate with Lathyrus pratensis L.), and is locally very abundant but less widespread, as found at fewer localities. For instance, P. idas was absent from the Iyus River valley (6\SE Efremkino), where P. argus was so abundant. At 12\Dzhabash, 74 males were collected from the same congregation, joint with Coenonympha oedippus , on mud, in two attempts: after the first net stroke not less number of those re-gathered again after a while, probably attracted by cattle urine.

Figures

Fig. 13. A male of Plebejus idas subsolanus at Tashtyp Village, 6.07.2000 Рис. 13. Самец Plebejus idas subsolanus в окрестностях с. Таштып, 6.07.2000