This butterfly is very similar to several other European species, but the female in particular usually has a yellowish band on the upperside which aids identification.  It is commonest in the Iberian peninsula and flies in two broods a year. Whilst I was in in Galicia in Spain, I unexpectedly found a single individual gliding at the edge of a small wood before landing on its foodplant, Toadflax.

Distribution: Portugal, most of Spain (rare in W, NW and SE), Massif Central in France, Hautes-Alps, SW Switzerland and NE Italy.

Flight Period: April-June then August- early September in 2 broods.

Habitat: Woodland edges, scrub, grassy areas, agricultural land.

Foodplants: Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), Alpine Toadflax (Linaria alpina), various snapdragons (Antirrhinum) and foxgloves (Digitalis).

Nectar Sources: Thymes (Thymus), thistles (Cirsium), Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), brambles (Rubus), Ragwort (Jacobea vulgaris), hawkweeds (Hieracium).

<Prev
Next>