A fairly large but dainty butterfly with a gliding flight. It is one of the few species of butterfly which can be seen flying in shady woodland. It occurs in southern England but is more common on the continent. I observed it gliding through woodland glades in Ashclyst forest in Devon as well as Palas de Rei in Galicia.

Distribution: Most of Europe except Portugal, Ireland and parts of southern Greece, southern Spain, northern Scandinavia and the Balkans.

Flight Period: June-August.

Habitat: Mature forest, woodland glades and clearings.

Foodplants: Honeysuckle (Lonicera).

Nectar Sources: Favours bramble blossom (Rubus), but also feeds off carrion, dung and damp mud.

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