
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.

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

S Greece, July 2018
Egg laying.

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

S Greece, July 2018

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

S Greece, June 2013


Pelopennsos, Greece, June 2002 (m)
When feeding they would flick their wings open occasionally. The video camera caught these moments, sometimes.


Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013

Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013




Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013
Larval food plant Astragalus rumelicus.


Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013


Pelopennesos, Greece, June 2013