Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
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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| 15157_male_Var_09May09 - euphrosyne | 7303_male_Alpes Maritimes_24Jun07 - euphrosyne | 2195_female_Isere_30Jun06 - euphrosyne |
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| 10189_female_Var_3May08 - euphrosyne | 13573_male_Vienne_15Aug08 - selene | 04_45-02_male_Dordogne_22May04 - selene |
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| 00_101_sex?_Dordogne_Jul00 - selene | 16027_male_Nievre_13Jun09 - selene |
In many places, the UK in particular, euphrosyne is considerably less common than selene. However, in southern France the reverse seems to be true, and in Var and the Alpes Maritimes selene does not occur so there is never an ID problem. In fact, having visited a variety of locations in southern France in 2006 I didn't see a single selene, and euphrosyne was often common, sometimes very common. In 2007, the same; having seen 175 species in France, but not one of them was selene.
In 2008, I only saw selene because I went to a site in western central France, similarly in 2009.
They are superficially quite similar, but selene is usually smaller and often darker and the uppersides can be differentiated by the uph marginal markings - in selene they are slightly sagittate and touching the margins, making them enclosed or "pearls" as this is supposedly how it became named; in euphrosyne the marginal marks are more regular solid triangles not quite touching the margins. The undersides are much easier to distinguish; euphrosyne has a generally lighter and more reddish feel and a single white thin cell mark in s5, whereas in selene there is a series of unh white discal marks and a generally darker feel.
The books say that in the alignment of the upf post-discal spots the spot in s4 is aligned with the others in euphrosyne, and not in selene, but this never seems very convincing to me; it does seem that the selene submarginal spots are broadly parallel to the margin, but in euphrosyne the s1-3 spots veer inward somewhat. Maybe this is what they mean.
15157: euphrosyne: a male, based on body shape/length. Altitude 340m.
7303: euphrosyne: a male, based on body shape/length and the lighter markings (especially in the basal area). Altitude 2100m.
2195: euphrosyne: I'm guessing this is a female based on body shape, backed up by the degree of basal black markings, but I'm not certain at all. Altitude 1200m.
10189: euphrosyne underside, a female based on what I saw of the upperside at the time. Altitude 450m.
13573: selene, a rather worn male, but nice to see one at all, my first for several years. Altitude 100m.
00_101: selene: the discal series of white spots (c.f. euphrosyne) is clearly visible in this old shot.
04_45-02: selene: a poor photo.
16027: a male selene, very worn. Altitude 620m.
15157_male_Var_09May09 - euphrosyne
7303_male_Alpes Maritimes_24Jun07 - euphrosyne
2195_female_Isere_30Jun06 - euphrosyne
10189_female_Var_3May08 - euphrosyne
13573_male_Vienne_15Aug08 - selene
04_45-02_male_Dordogne_22May04 - selene
16027_male_Nievre_13Jun09 - selene
