![Photo: lucina76.jpg](../pics/l/lucina76.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina57.jpg](../pics/l/lucina57.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2018
Field notes and information
This is Europe's sole representative of the large family of metal-marks, Riodinidae. The family is best represented in south America and extends to most other parts of the world.
Identification & Similar species: The upperside orange and black chequered markings resemble the fritillaries of the family Nymphalidae. Closer inspection of the layout of the markings however should eliminate confusion with similar species.
Distribution & Flight: From central Spain to south England and eastwards across most of central and southern Europe. It is usually single brooded in May/ June but may also fly a little earlier with a partial second brood in summer in July/ August. I've only rarely encountered this second brood.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flowery places in scrubland.
![Photo: lucina27.jpg](../pics/l/lucina27.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2009
Female
![Photo: lucina71.jpg](../pics/l/lucina71.jpg)
![Photo: lucina79.jpg](../pics/l/lucina79.jpg)
![Photo: lucina74.jpg](../pics/l/lucina74.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina41.jpg](../pics/l/lucina41.jpg)
![Photo: lucina35.jpg](../pics/l/lucina35.jpg)
![Photo: lucina43.jpg](../pics/l/lucina43.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2014
![Photo: lucina80.jpg](../pics/l/lucina80.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina72.jpg](../pics/l/lucina72.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina47.jpg](../pics/l/lucina47.jpg)
![Photo: lucina44.jpg](../pics/l/lucina44.jpg)
Jura, France, June 2014
![Photo: lucina23.jpg](../pics/l/lucina23.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2010
Male
![Photo: lucina55.jpg](../pics/l/lucina55.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2018
![Photo: lucina52.jpg](../pics/l/lucina52.jpg)
![Photo: lucina54.jpg](../pics/l/lucina54.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2015
![Photo: lucina58.jpg](../pics/l/lucina58.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2018
![Photo: lucina18.jpg](../pics/l/lucina18.jpg)
Kozani, Greece, May 2004
![Photo: lucina66.jpg](../pics/l/lucina66.jpg)
![Photo: lucina67.jpg](../pics/l/lucina67.jpg)
Fribourg, Switzerland, June2021
![Photo: lucina64.jpg](../pics/l/lucina64.jpg)
![Photo: lucina65.jpg](../pics/l/lucina65.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2021
![Photo: lucina68.jpg](../pics/l/lucina68.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, May 2020
Flying with L. helle.
![Photo: lucina59.jpg](../pics/l/lucina59.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, May 2020
![Photo: lucina73.jpg](../pics/l/lucina73.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina60.jpg](../pics/l/lucina60.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, May 2020
![Photo: lucina51.jpg](../pics/l/lucina51.jpg)
![Photo: lucina48.jpg](../pics/l/lucina48.jpg)
![Photo: lucina50.jpg](../pics/l/lucina50.jpg)
![Photo: lucina49.jpg](../pics/l/lucina49.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2014
The female H. lucina has attracted a very interested M. cinxia.
![Photo: lucina45.jpg](../pics/l/lucina45.jpg)
![Photo: lucina46.jpg](../pics/l/lucina46.jpg)
Jura, France, June 2014
![Photo: lucina37.jpg](../pics/l/lucina37.jpg)
![Photo: lucina36.jpg](../pics/l/lucina36.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2014
![Photo: lucina38.jpg](../pics/l/lucina38.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2014
![Photo: lucina24.jpg](../pics/l/lucina24.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2010
![Photo: lucina31.jpg](../pics/l/lucina31.jpg)
![Photo: lucina33.jpg](../pics/l/lucina33.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2013
Feeding on honeydew.
![Photo: lucina20.jpg](../pics/l/lucina20.jpg)
Hampshire, UK, June 2002
![Photo: lucina25.jpg](../pics/l/lucina25.jpg)
![Photo: lucina26.jpg](../pics/l/lucina26.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2010
![Photo: lucina13.jpg](../pics/l/lucina13.jpg)
Cluj, Romania, May 2009
![Photo: lucina30.jpg](../pics/l/lucina30.jpg)
Cuneo, Italy, May 2012
![Photo: lucina21.jpg](../pics/l/lucina21.jpg)
![Photo: lucina4.jpg](../pics/l/lucina4.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
![Photo: lucina9.jpg](../pics/l/lucina9.jpg)
![Photo: lucina10.jpg](../pics/l/lucina10.jpg)
Vaud, Switzerland, May 2008
![Photo: lucina12.jpg](../pics/l/lucina12.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2009
![Photo: lucina15.jpg](../pics/l/lucina15.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, April 2003
![Photo: lucina2.jpg](../pics/l/lucina2.jpg)
Jura, France, May 2005
![Photo: lucina17.jpg](../pics/l/lucina17.jpg)
Jura, France, June 2004
![Photo: lucina3.jpg](../pics/l/lucina3.jpg)
Savoie, France, May 2005
![Photo: lucina1.jpg](../pics/l/lucina1.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2005
Female showing more orange than the male.
![Photo: lucina70.jpg](../pics/l/lucina70.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, May 2022
![Photo: lucina14.jpg](../pics/l/lucina14.jpg)
Provence, France, June 2003
Found at 2000m altitude, high for this species.