Bentley Wood, Hampshire, U.K.
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Heliconiinae
Species : Boloria euphrosyne
This is a very widely distributed species that is found throughout most of Europe, extending through Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, Russia, parts of Central Asia, to China, Mongolia, and North Korea. It is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of 40-47mm, the female being marginally larger than the male. It is one of the first fritillaries to appear in Spring, flying between late April and early July. Adults feed on Ajuga reptans, Hyacinthoides non-scriptus, Lotus corniculatus, Ranunculus spp., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Lychnis flos-cuculi and various other plant species.
It is found in various habitats including open areas within deciduous woodland, marshes, flowery alpine meadows, and sometimes in conifer plantations. Common at all sites are damp areas where the foodplants are able to grow vigorously. Eggs are usually laid singly on the underside of a leaf on the foodplant. The larva hibernates in its 4th instar and emerges the following Spring to continue feeding and complete its lifecycle. The primary larval foodplants are Viola sp..
All my insect pics are single shot and handheld, usually in the wild.
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