Weaver's Fritillary (Boloria dia)
2009 photos highlighted in yellow. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 7440_male_Alpes Maritimes_25Jun07 | 5794_female_Var_26May07 | 16777_sex?_Var_25Jun09 |
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| 5789_female_Var_26May07 | 8613_sex?_Var_27Jul07 |
Another small fritillary, the upperside being superficially similar to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (B. euphrosyne) and the Titania's Fritillary (B. titania) although easily distinguishable by the sharply-angled hindwing, more readily apparent from the underside shots, but as it quite often rests with wings wide open this can often be seen from the upperside. Titania also has an angled hindwing, but to a lesser extent than dia, and titania is an altitude species, so any specimens at low altitudes are bound to be dia. It has a beautiful orange colour when fresh. It seems to be reasonably widespread throughout southern France as I have seen at least one at most places I have visited, and it was only in September 2006 that I found a location at 765m altitude in northern Var where it was common, and in this location in September of both 2007 and 2008 it was very common indeed. It seems to vary in size, often producing very small individuals, sometimes with very narrow wings. It is also (and perhaps more widely) known as the Violet Fritillary.
7440: a male, based on body shape (not 100% certain, though) and some subtleties of the black markings. Altitude 1080m.
5794: a female, based on body shape and length (I am 100% certain on this one) and some subtleties of the black markings. Altitude 220m.
16777: a fairly typical dia underside, midway between 5789 and 8613 in terms of strength of markings. Altitude 220m.
5789: a quite light and subtly-marked underside. It shows up the beautiful red-brown markings to good effect. I'm not sure why I originally thought this was a female, but 5794 was photographed within 60 seconds, and so they may well be the same butterfly. Altitude 220m.
8613: a very darkly-marked underside. The angularity of the hindwing is visible, and this is a clear pointer to dia. I am not sure whether it is male or female, possibly male based on the slightly territorial-looking pose. Altitude 780m.
7440_male_Alpes Maritimes_25Jun07
16777_sex?_Var_25Jun09
