Aricia

Aricia is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly referred to as blues or argus butterflies in parts of their range. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic region, with species found from Europe and North Africa across Asia to western Siberia and the Russian Far East.

Taxonomically, Aricia is placed in the family Lycaenidae, subfamily Polyommatinae. The genus contains several species; the best-known are Aricia agestis, the brown argus, and Aricia artaxerxes, the mountain argus, both occurring across large parts of Europe and into western Asia.

Adults typically have small, delicate wings. Males commonly display blue upper surfaces, while females are usually brown; the underside of both sexes is patterned with a network of pale spots that provide camouflage against the ground.

Larvae are herbivorous on various herbaceous plants; like many Lycaenidae, Aricia species may interact with ants (myrmecophily) during their larval life.

Conservation status varies by species and region, with some populations stable and others impacted by habitat loss and climate trends.