Erivan Anomalus Blue

Context

Armenia has unveiled its new logo for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17). The logo features the Erivan Anomalus Blue butterfly as its main attraction.

About the Erivan Anomalus Blue

• Polyommatus erivanense, commonly known as the Erivan Anomalus Blue, is a blue butterfly species found only in Yerevan and its surrounding areas.
• This butterfly breeds only once a year and is active from mid-June to mid-July, depending on the altitude.

Natural Habitat

• This species is found in the calcareous grasslands of Armenia, but its host plant is not yet known.
• It is found only in the southern Transcaucasian regions and is seen at altitudes of 1200 to 2200 meters.
• Currently, this species is not included in the Global and European Red Lists.

Convention on Biological Diversity

• This Convention is the most comprehensive and binding international agreement in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It now has 196 parties.

Organization and Operation

• The supreme governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the Conference of the Parties (COP).
• Under the COP, all member countries meet every two years to review progress related to biodiversity, set priorities, and commit to future action plans.
• Its secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada.

Objectives of the Convention

• Conservation of biological diversity
• Sustainable use of biological diversity
• Fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising from genetic resources