Erivan Anomalous Blue
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Subject: Environment
Context: Armenia has unveiled the official logo of COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), featuring the Erivan Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus eriwanensis), a rare endemic butterfly.
About Erivan Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus eriwanensis):
• What it is?
• Polyommatus eriwanensis, commonly known as the Erivan Anomalous Blue, is a blue butterfly species endemic to Armenia. It is named after Yerevan (Erivan) and is found only in southern Transcaucasia.
• Polyommatus eriwanensis, commonly known as the Erivan Anomalous Blue, is a blue butterfly species endemic to Armenia.
• It is named after Yerevan (Erivan) and is found only in southern Transcaucasia.
• Habitat:
• Inhabits calcareous grasslands in Armenia. Found at elevations of 1,200–2,200 metres above sea level. One generation per year; adults are active from mid-June to mid-July. The larval host plant is still unknown, limiting ecological assessment.
• Inhabits calcareous grasslands in Armenia.
• Found at elevations of 1,200–2,200 metres above sea level.
• One generation per year; adults are active from mid-June to mid-July.
• The larval host plant is still unknown, limiting ecological assessment.
• IUCN status:
• Not listed in the Global or European IUCN Red Lists. Listed as Endangered in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia (2010). Distribution partly overlaps with Khosrov Forest State Reserve and Gnishik Protected Landscape.
• Not listed in the Global or European IUCN Red Lists.
• Listed as Endangered in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia (2010).
• Distribution partly overlaps with Khosrov Forest State Reserve and Gnishik Protected Landscape.
• Key characteristics:
• Endemic and range-restricted, making it highly sensitive to environmental change. Butterflies act as indicator species, reflecting ecosystem health. Population trends and density remain uncertain due to identification challenges and unknown host plant.
• Endemic and range-restricted, making it highly sensitive to environmental change.
• Butterflies act as indicator species, reflecting ecosystem health.
• Population trends and density remain uncertain due to identification challenges and unknown host plant.
About COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
• What it is?
• The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) under the Convention on Biological Diversity, a UN treaty adopted in 1992. Serves as the supreme decision-making body for global biodiversity governance.
• The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) under the Convention on Biological Diversity, a UN treaty adopted in 1992.
• Serves as the supreme decision-making body for global biodiversity governance.
• Host: Yerevan, Armenia
• Scheduled for October 2026
• Scheduled for October 2026
• Theme: “Taking action for nature”
• Logo significance:
• Features the Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly, symbolising local biodiversity linked to global goals. Uses 23 blended colours, representing the interdependence of the 23 biodiversity targets.
• Features the Erivan Anomalous Blue butterfly, symbolising local biodiversity linked to global goals.
• Uses 23 blended colours, representing the interdependence of the 23 biodiversity targets.