A small butterfly common in North Africa (from Algeria to Sudan and Ethiopia), in the Middle East and up to northern India. In Israel it is common throughout the mountainous region of the Mediterranean area from the beginning of spring until the end of summer. Its wingspan is about 30 mm. It produces two generations a year and possibly a third generation as well.
The female lays her eggs on the ground and on shrubs and trees, near ant nests. The egg is white and has the characteristic shape of lycaenid eggs (hemispherical and reticulate).
A larva hatches from the egg, crimson in color with a black head. The larva secretes a sweet liquid from glands in its body. This liquid is a delicacy for the ants, which collect it into the nest and guard it, although at times it preys on ant larvae. As it grows, its color turns pink. When it reaches a size of about 20 mm, it pupates inside the ant nest.
The pupa is brown and about 9 mm long. Its duration is about ten days to two weeks.

Former name: Spotted blue