The Alcon blue belongs to the family Lycaenidae. In Portugal, this species is threatened, mainly due to its special life cycle. Firstly, it needs a specific host plant, the marsh gentian, to lay its eggs on, and for the caterpillars, which feed on the flower's reproductive organs. Later on, the caterpillars fall into the soil, where 𝘔𝘺𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘢 ants will find them and take them into their nest. The ants mistake them for their own larvae and will take care of them for months until they pupate. When the metamorphosis is complete, the Alcon blue emerges as a butterfly.

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These illustrations were made using colour pencils on Strathmore's vellum paper.