Cardinal (argynnis pandora)
2008 photos highlighted green. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 4133_male_Var_2Sep06 | 11319_male_Var_19Jun08 | 9326_female_Var_28Aug07 |
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| 9579_female_Var_5Sep07 | 9312_female_Var_28Aug07 | 11441_female_Var_25Jun08 |
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| 2661_female_Var_11Jul06 - argynnis paphia, form valezina |
This is a majestic beast. It has superficially similar upperside markings to the Silver-washed Fritillary (A. paphia) but somewhat larger and a beautiful bronze colour rather than paphia's orange (except for female paphia of the form valezina - or valesina - which is the green form). The unh is also green with similar markings to paphia, although the lower part of the unf is a deep rose red, which is a clear indicator of pandora. It is a butterfly of the deep south, not quite extending to central France, but it does occur along the west coast. According to Lafranchis, the flight period is from mid-May to the end of September in one long generation; it certainly emerges in May in Var and is usually in evidence mainly because it is a powerful flier and very large, so it can hardly be missed. Whether that means it is common is another matter. Whereas I have seen quite a few in May/early June 2006, I did not see any more until late August and these were very fresh as can be seen in the photos above, suggesting to me that they were second generation, not late emergers from a single generation. This second generation was quite abundant, especially in September, and I saw several pandora in quite a few locations. This pattern was repeated in 2007 and 2008.
It is a magnificent butterfly, not only in flight but also in its markings and colouring. The larger female is very heavily marked and the male is similar in colouring, with broad dark upf sex brands on veins 2 and 3. This is another butterfly where the female seems to be more in evidence than the male.
4133: a male, perhaps bearing a greater resemblance to paphia than the female.
11319: a male underside, strong consistent green ground colour and much reduced silvery streaks. The forewing is sufficiently raised to show the rose-red.
9326: a female, from a location at an altitude of 920m where females seemed to predominate and were particularly bronze. Altitude 920m.
9579: another female, from the same location as 9326, more clearly demonstrating the bronze effect. Altitude 920m.
9312: another female from the same location as 9326 and 9579, showing the enhanced green reflective sheen on the underside. Altitude 920m.
11441: a female underside, probably quite typical, with the silvery streaks more pronounced than the male.
2661: a female paphia of the form valezina, for comparison purposes.
2661_female_Var_11Jul06 - argynnis paphia, form valezina
