Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Heliconiinae
Species : Argynnis aglaja
This is a widespread species that is found throughout Europe and the UK and earns its name from the distinctive green hue on the underside of the hindwing. It is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 60-69mm, the females being the larger. The usual habitat is open grassland or moorland near areas where the preferred larval foodplants, Viola sp., grow. It can also sometimes be seen in woodland clearings.
There is just one brood per year and the adult flight period is from June to early August. It nectars on thistles and knapweed and is best observed during early morning and late afternoon. It is a very active butterfly and flits from flower to flower staying only for a few seconds on each.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: butterfly butterflies mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Argynnis aglaja Dark Green Fritillary Heliconiinae wildlife Lozère Mont Lozère Parc National des Cévennes live insects France
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Plateau des Gras, Bidon, Ardèche, France
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Sub-Family : Heliconiinae
Genus : Argynnis
Species : Argynnis niobe eris
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All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: butterfly mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка Con bướm ผีเสื้อ animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Argynnis niobe Niobe Fritillary Heliconiinae wildlife Ardèche Plateau des Gras Bidon live insects France Nikon 105mm BugsAlive
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Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Family : Nymphalidae
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Species : Argynnis niobe
This species is found throughout a large part of Europe, parts of North Africa and continues eastwards to the Near East, Caucasus, Russia, Central Asia, Korea, and China. It is similar in appearance but slightly smaller than A.adippe (High Brown Fritillary) with a wingspan of 45-55mm. Both sexes nectar on various flowers and males are often seen basking on rocks while waiting for passing females.
Habitat is hot dry rocky grassland and scrub, alpine meadows, stoney slopes, and light woodland. Found from sea level to about 2000 metres asl and the larval foodplants are Viola species such as V.canina and V.riviniana. Eggs are laid singly on dead grass stems or other leaf litter in the vicinity of the foodplant. The larva forms fully within the egg but remains dormant and does not hatch until the following Spring.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
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Tags: butterfly butterflies mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Argynnis niobe Niobe Fritillary Stiefmütterchen-Perlmuttfalter Duinparelmoervlinder Niobeperlemorvinge Le Chiffre Heliconiinae wildlife Lozère Mont Lozère Parc National des Cévennes live insects France
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Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Family : Nymphalidae
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Species : Argynnis paphia
This is another very widespread species that is found throughout most of Europe, the Caucasus, Russia, Turkey, Iran, parts of Central Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and India. It is a powerful flier and one of the larger fritillaries with a wingspan of 70-80mm. The species is sexually dimorphic with the upper wings of the male having dark streaks which contain androconial scales that release the pheromones which attract females during courtship. The undersides are very similar in both sexes.
They are a shade loving species and favour woodland habitats, although they are sometimes seen on scrubland and hedgerows. They like areas where brambles, thistles, knapweed, and other nectar sources are in abundance. Both sexes also imbibe aphid honeydew, particularly from the surface of oak leaves high in the canopy where they roost overnight. Males also puddle for minerals at damp patches on the forest floor and sometimes at the side of streams. Eggs are laid in the bark of oaks and occasionally in other trees at around two metres above ground level. Moss-covered mature trees are favoured. When the larvae hatch in late summer they immediately go into a state of diapause until the following spring when they descend to the forest floor in search of Viola riviniana (Common Dog-violet), the primary foodplant. The adult butterflies emerge around
June and July.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: butterfly butterflies mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary Heliconiinae wildlife Lozère Parc National des Cévennes Mont Lozère live insects France
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Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Argynnis
Species : Argynnis paphia
A very widespread species that is found throughout most of Europe, the Caucasus, Russia, Turkey, Iran, parts of Central Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and India. It is a powerful flier and one of the larger fritillaries with a wingspan of 70-80mm. The species is sexually dimorphic with the upper wings of the male having dark streaks which contain androconial scales that release the pheromones which attract females during courtship. The undersides are very similar in both sexes.
They are a shade loving species and favour woodland habitats, although they are sometimes seen on scrubland and hedgerows. They like areas where brambles, thistles, knapweed, and other nectar sources are in abundance. Both sexes also imbibe aphid honeydew, particularly from the surface of oak leaves high in the canopy where they roost overnight. Males also puddle for minerals at damp patches on the forest floor and sometimes at the side of streams. Eggs are laid in the bark of oaks and occasionally in other trees at around two metres above ground level. Moss-covered mature trees are favoured. When the larvae hatch in late summer they immediately go into a state of diapause until the following spring when they descend to the forest floor in search of Viola riviniana (Common Dog-violet), the primary foodplant. Adults emerge around June and July.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Tags: butterfly butterflies mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling бабочка animal outdoor insects insect Lepidoptera macro nature Nymphalidae Argynnis paphia Silver-washed Fritillary wildlife Lozère Mont Lozère Parc National des Cévennes live insects France Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet
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