Maculinea nausithous

The species occurs in North Spain, East France, Central Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Central and South Urals and Altai. Extremely rare species in Bulgaria; confirmed colonies recorded from only two very nearly situated localities on the slopes of Vitosha (Boyana) and Lyulin (Gorna Banya); occurs at an altitudinal range of 600—800 m. Threatened by isolation; nearest colonies lie at a great distance of the Bulgarian borders — in Romania and Slovenia. Included in Appendix II of the Habitats Directive 92/43 of the EU, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and is listed as vulnerable in Red Data Book of European butterflies (van Swaay & Warren, 1999: 131).