Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
2011 photos highlighted in green. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
|
|
|
|
| 11853_male_Alpes-Maritimes_1Jul08 | 13666_male_Lozčre_21Aug08 | 20790_male_Var_14Jun10 |
|
|
|
|
| 21684_male_Alpes-Maritimes_7Jul10 | 21291_female_Alpes-Maritimes_3Jul10 | 6400_female_Var_3Jun07 |
|
|
|
|
| 11858_male_Alpes-Maritimes_1Jul08 | 24860_sex?_Var_17May11 | 21370_female_Alpes-Maritimes_3Jul10 |
|
A breathtakingly beautiful butterfly and although I might assert that I have no favourites, this is not true. The underside is characteristic and unlike any other fritillary with large silver “mirrors”. The size can vary enormously between the sexes, the female as usual being much larger, and also between broods. The wing shape is also unlike any other. It has a wide altitude range and is often found at very high altitudes and sometimes at temperatures that seem far too cold for any butterfly. |
It is highly migratory and therefore very widespread and
frequently encountered, but rarely more than a few in any one place - that was
true until 2010 when I encountered 25 or so in one spot in the Alpes-Maritimes,
in company with about 50
|
| ref | sex |
observations |
alt. m |
| 11853 | M |
a male, despite the darkness of the markings and the body shape. |
1400 |
| 13666 | M |
a male, at the other end of the scale, quite lightly marked. |
1450 |
| 20790 | M |
a male. |
920 |
| 21684 | M |
a male, almost identical to 20790. |
1400 |
| 21291 | F |
a female, I think, based on the more extensive uph basal suffusion. |
1320 |
| 6400: | F |
a female, very strong orange and big bold black markings, plus extensive basal suffusion on both upper wings. A magnificent butterfly. |
140 |
| 24860 | ? | fairly standard lathonia, which kept returning to the same spot. | 20 |
| 11858 | M |
a very dark male, the deep red setting off the silver mirrors to good effect. |
1400 |
| 21370 | F |
a female, showing the unh silvery mirrors. |
1320 |
11853_male_Alpes-Maritimes_1Jul08
21684_male_Alpes-Maritimes_7Jul10
21291_female_Alpes-Maritimes_3Jul10
11858_male_Alpes-Maritimes_1Jul08
21370_female_Alpes-Maritimes_3Jul10
