Colias aurorina on euroButterflies by Matt Rowlings

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Colias aurorina

Greek Clouded Yellow

euroButterflies

by Matt Rowlings

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Field notes and information

In Europe, confined to the higher mountains of mainland Greece. It can be common where found. The males are spectacular with lovely violet refraction patterns on the rich red orange uppersides.

Identification & Similar species: It is a spectacular butterfly. The males are somewhat greenish on the underside and a fiery rich red orange with violet refraction on the upperside. This flashing of green and rich red is highly distinctive in the field.Â

Distribution & Flight: Only from Greece. Higher mountains from the Pelopennesos to the Pindos.

June/ July. Common in the Pelopennsos in June and at the very end of its flight in week 3 July further north in the Pindos mountains.

Habitat & Behaviour: Grassy flowery meadows on steep slopes or on tops of mountains.

Unlike the more familiar wide ranging strong flying species of Colias, these were weaker fliers and show little tendency to wander far from the colony. They feed avidly on low growing flowers where they "hop" from clump to clump by beating their wings but not actually flying. This way I managed the upperside photographs which would otherwise have been impossible.