This species is one of the tiniest butterflies I have ever seen and it is also a very fast flier, making it difficult to follow in flight. It is well named, with a dull red underside. It flies quite close to the ground and frequently rests, basking on hot rocks or taking salts from damp mud. It is similar to several other European species but in most cases they don’t fly together.

Distribution: Much of W and C Europe; as far east as Poland and Croatia but absent from Britain and Ireland.

Flight Period: April-August in two broods.

Habitat: Maquis, dry grassland, meadows, dry riverbeds, open woodland up to 1700m.

Foodplants: A variety of plants; most often cinquefoils (Potentilla).

Nectar Sources: A variety of low-growing flowers. In Portugal I observed it feeding solely on Clustered Carline Thistle (Carlina corymbosa).

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