Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli)
Species

Male and female. Taken at Betancuria, Fuerteventura, on March 11th 2018.
(1/200th sec at f11. © David Hastings)

Female. Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 21st 2018.
(1/320th sec at f14. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Polyommatinae

Wing span: 15 - 27 mm

This South African native was found in the Balearic Islands in 1987. It is probable that it was accidently imported as immature stages in ornamental Geranium plants. Since 1987 it has spread to much of Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, Malta and the Canary Islands. It was first seen in Britain in 1997 and has been recorded occasionally since.

This species is continuously brooded in the wild. It could potentially survive the the British winter in heated glasshouses.

The primary larval foodplants are Geraniums and Pelargoniums.

Sightings

21-Jul-2018 : Vercors Natural Park, France
11-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

04-Nov-2016 : Huerta Grande, Spain (1f)

14-Sep-2010 : Alameda Botanic Gardens, Gibraltar (1)