An attempt of interspecies mating between Phengaris nausithous and P. teleius (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Abstract

Interspecies mating is rarely observed even in the wild. Such a case in Lycaenidae is reported and photographically documented for the species pairing Phengaris teleius (Bergsträsser, 1779) and P. nausithous (Bergsträsser, 1779), which was observed on 19 July 2016 in northern Bohemia near the village of Hynčice, Czech Republic. Possible causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

Keywords

• Large Blues
• reproductive activity
• possibility of